LOME, Togo (AP) — Authorities in Togo have repressed the media and prevented civilians from gathering to protest peacefully, Amnesty International said in a report published Wednesday, ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled to take place at the end of this month.
Amnesty International said in its annual report on human rights around the world that two newspapers in Togo were forced to close for several months last year, while a number of journalists were arrested or hit with hefty fines after reporting on corruption.
Two journalists in Togo were sentenced to three years in prison after reporting about a minister’s involvement in corruption, but both fled the country to avoid detention. The human rights organization said it had recorded instances in which detainees in prison were tortured or mistreated.
The report comes at a time of heightened tension in Togo, a country of about 8 million people that has been ruled by the same family for almost 60 years. Parliamentary elections have been pushed back until April 29, and the government have arrested opposition figures and quashed efforts to organize protests ahead of the vote.
Xi Stresses Prioritizing People's Safety, Property in Flood Prevention, Disaster Relief
Xi Stresses Prioritizing People's Safety, Property in Flood Prevention, Disaster Relief
Floriade Expo 2022 opens in Almere, the Netherlands
Missouri's GOP lawmakers vote to kick Planned Parenthood off Medicaid
Highlights of semifinals at BWF Korea Open Badminton Championships 2022
New energy becomes largest electricity source in China's five southern provinces,regions
No final decision on withdrawing US troops from Niger and Chad, top official tells AP
Xinhua Headlines: Shanghai boosts supply of necessities amid COVID
Mississippi city settles lawsuit filed by family of man who died after police pulled him from car
New regulation to protect consumers' rights in emerging ecommerce market