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Further information on UA 17/93 (AFR 57/01/93, 26 January 1993) - Togo: extrajudicial executions and new concern: fear of further extrajudicial executions: 16 people in a peaceful demonstration in Lome, including: Mr Abentey, Kossi Akakpo, Adeoyor Ariound

5 February 1993, Index number: AFR 57/002/1993

At least 16 and possibly as many as 24 people were killed when the Togolese security forces opened fire without warning on a peaceful demonstration on 25 January 1993. Over 50 people were reportedly injured. No investigations have been announced into the killings of 25 January. AI fears that further killings may result if the security forces are allowed to act with impunity. There has been an escalation in violent confrontation between the security forces and some opponents of the government. Five civilians, including an 11-year-old child, were reportedly shot dead on 30 January and a soldier and a gendarme have also died. The killings of 30 January are being investigated.

EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: AFR 57/02/93

Distr: UA/SC

5 February 1993

Further information on UA 17/93 (AFR 57/01/93, 26 January 1993) - Extrajudicial

executions and new concern fear of further extrajudicial executions

TOGO:16 people in a peaceful demonstration in Lomé including:

Mr Abentey

Kossi Akakpo

Adeoyor Arioundele

Kokou Blitti

Komlan Olivier Dansou

Mr Dick

Fataou Djibril

Innocent Doh

Akuele Doumassi (female)

Esther Kassekpo (female)

Hospice Kunugna

Late Donne Lawson

Claude Senah

Kokou Guy Tokpli Tete

and Koffi Dolou, a police officer apparently killed by a stray

bullet from a colleague

The 14 civilians and one police officer named above are believed to be among at least

16 and possibly as many as 24 killed during a peaceful demonstration in the capital,

Lomé, on 25 January 1993. The civilians were killed when the Togolese security forces

opened fire on peaceful demonstrators without warning. Amnesty International has

also received the names of over 50 people injured - mostly by live ammunition - during

the events of 25 January 1993. No investigation has been announced into the killings

of 25 January and Amnesty International fears there may be further extrajudicial

executions if the security forces continue to be allowed to act with impunity.

Since 25 January, there has been an escalation in violent confrontation between the

security forces and some civilian opponents of the government, resulting in further

deaths - including the death of one soldier and one gendarme. On 30 January, the

security forces shot dead at least five people, including an 11-year-old child, when

looting and firing indiscriminately at civilians. President Gnassingbé Eyadéma has

reportedly instructed the Minister of Defence to organize a military inquiry into

the violent events of 30 January, and the Procuracy has ordered autopsies to be carried

out on those killed on 25 and 30 January. However, the authorities' failure to

initiate any public investigation into the killings of 25 January - in contrast to

the inquiry announced into the killings of 30 January - suggests that these killings

are condoned by the Presidency.

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:

Monsieur Joseph Kokou Koffigoh

Premier Ministre, Ministre de la Défense

La Primature, Lomé, Togo

Telegrams: Premier Ministre, Lomé, Togo

Faxes: + 228 21 20 40, + 228 21 08 50

Salutation: Monsieur le Premier Ministre / Dear Prime Minister

4) Minister of the Interior:

Monsieur Agbéyomé Kodjo

Ministre de l'Administration territoriale et de la Sécurité

Ministère de l'Administration territoriale et de la Sécurité

Rue Albert Sarrault, Lomé, Togo

Telegrams: Ministre de l'Administration territoriale et de la Securité, Lomé, Togo

Salutation: Monsieur le Ministre / Dear Minister

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

Commissioner of Police:

M. le Commissaire de police Baba

Commissariat central, Lomé, Togo

and to diplomatic representatives of Togo accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section

office, if sending appeals after 19 March 1993.

Further information on UA 17/93 (AFR 57/01/93, 26 January 1993) - Togo: extrajudicial executions and new concern: fear of further extrajudicial executions: 16 people in a peaceful demonstration in Lome, including: Mr Abentey, Kossi Akakpo, Adeoyor Ariound

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