Amnesty International has raised concerns about the situation in Togo, where the government has been accused of repressing the media and preventing peaceful protests. The human rights organization's annual report highlighted instances of media censorship and crackdowns on journalists reporting on corruption.
According to the report, two newspapers in Togo were forcibly closed last year, and several journalists faced arrests and heavy fines for their reporting. Two journalists were even sentenced to three years in prison for exposing a minister's involvement in corruption, prompting them to flee the country to avoid detention.
Amnesty International also documented cases of torture and mistreatment of detainees in Togo's prisons, raising further concerns about human rights violations in the country.
The report comes amid heightened tensions in Togo, where parliamentary elections have been delayed until April 29. The government has been accused of arresting opposition figures and suppressing efforts to organize protests ahead of the vote.
At the heart of the controversy is a proposed new constitution that would eliminate presidential elections, granting parliament the authority to select the president instead. Critics, including the opposition and clergy, argue that this move is an attempt by President Faure Gnassingbe to extend his rule beyond his current mandate, which is set to expire in 2025.
