Togolese security forces must refrain from using force during peaceful protests, Amnesty International said today. Since mid-August, eight people have been killed, including four shot dead in mass protests calling for constitutional reforms, including a limit on the number of presidential terms. While the authorities have banned all demonstrations during weekdays, an opposition protest is scheduled to be held today in front of the Parliament and another in front of the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS office.
While protesters must be able to claim their rights in a peaceful manner, authorities have the duty to respect and protect human rights, including the rights to life, freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and justice.
This sparked clashes between protesters and security forces, leading to the deaths of two soldiers and two civilians and resulting in the injuries of at least 20 people, according to several sources, including medical staff.
Police vehicles and buildings were set on fire. According to eyewitnesses interviewed by Amnesty International, unidentified people aboard five unregistered pick-up vehicles arrived and forcibly opened the main gate. After failing to gain access to the building, they poured petrol and started a fire.
Witnesses also told Amnesty International that these people then broke down a door, beat up local residents and fired teargas canisters into the headquarters and neighbouring houses. Amnesty International has previously expressed its concern with regard to the heightening of restrictions on fundamental freedoms in Togo since August, particularly with the internet shutdown in September which lasted nine days and disrupted the work of journalists and human rights defenders deployed on the ground to observe the protests.
