Amnesty International has called on the Togolese authorities to demonstrate their
commitment to the prevention of further human rights abuses, in line with international
standards and its own responsibilities under national law, by taking urgent steps
to prevent further killings by the security forces. In particular, Amnesty
International has urged the immediate establishment of an impartial investigation
into all recent killings, including those of 25 January, with a view to bringing
to justice any member of the security forces responsible for an unlawful killing.
To ensure that its conclusions are widely known, the report should be made public
and should contain conclusions about whether an abuse of human rights had taken place
and also assess what modifications of procedure or personnel are required to prevent
these abuses recurring.
Page 2 of FU 17/93
FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters
in French, English or your own language:
- expressing concern at the extrajudicial execution of at least 16 demonstrators on 25
January at the hands of the security forces;
- noting the escalation in violent confrontation between some civilian government opponents
and the security forces since 25 January - including the killing of at least five people
on 30 January - and expressing fear there may be further extrajudicial executions if the
security forces continue to be allowed to act with impunity;
- acknowledging the announcement of an internal inquiry into the events of 30 January,
but expressing deep concern at the failure of the authorities to order an investigation
into the extrajudicial executions of 25 January 1993;
- urging the Togolese authorities to immediately organize an independent investigation
into these killings in accordance with international standards, with a view to identifying
those responsible and bringing them to justice;
- calling on the Togolese authorities to ensure that the conclusions of such an
investigation are widely known; the report should be made public and should contain
conclusions about whether an abuse of human rights took place and also assess what
modifications of procedure or personnel are required to prevent the abuse recurring.
APPEALS TO:
1) President:
Son Excellence Monsieur le Général Gnassingbé Eyadéma
Président de la République
Palais présidentiel
Avenue de la Marina, Lomé, Togo
Telegrams: Président de la République, Lomé, Togo
Telexes: 5319; 5419; 5201 TMS THG
Faxes: + 228 21 18 97, + 228 21 32 04
Salutation: Monsieur le Président / Dear President
2) Chief of Army Staff:
Monsieur le Général de brigade Bassabi Bonfoh
Chef d'Etat-major général
Camp militaire Tokoin
Boulevard des Armées, Lomé, Togo
Telegrams: Chef d'Etat-major, Lomé, Togo
Telexes: 5477 DSFAT
Faxes: + 228 21 11 98
Salutation: Monsieur le Chef d'Etat-Major / Dear Chief of Army Staff
3) Prime Minister: