A/HRC/19/10
equal access to justice; support for the establishment of a follow-up mechanism for the
recommendations of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission; support for the
implementation of a programme similar to the emergency programme to support the prison
sector; support for the Inter-ministerial Commission for the Preparation of Initial and
Periodic Reports; support for the harmonization of domestic legislation with international
instruments; and support for the inclusion of human rights in school curricula.
32.
Togo thanked all its bilateral and multilateral partners for continuing to support its
efforts to protect and promote human rights. Togo was aware of the great challenges facing
it; of the obligations flowing from its human rights commitments; and of the expectations to
which those commitments had given rise, and the difficulties it would face in fulfilling
them. However, Togo would do all in its power to ensure that human rights were at the
heart of the new vision and direction taken by the Government. Togo therefore renewed its
appeal to the international community to match its determination and help create the
conditions for true national reconciliation.
B.
Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review
33.
During the interactive dialogue, 43 delegations made statements. Recommendations
made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report.
34.
Cuba highlighted that the protection and promotion of human rights was a priority
for Togo, despite the difficulties that it faced. Cuba acknowledged the fact that the right to a
healthy environment reached constitutional rank; the several initiatives implemented
regarding the right to food; the positive developments regarding education; the plan on
sanitation; and the strategy to reduce HIV/AIDS and child and maternal mortality. Cuba
made recommendations.
35.
Algeria noted with appreciation the adoption of policies on access to safe water,
food, housing, education, and health and justice reform, as well as the particular attention
devoted to vulnerable groups in that regard. It also noted ongoing challenges, such as
violence against women, prison overcrowding, poverty, illiteracy and women’s
underrepresentation in decision-making bodies, and urged the international community to
lend the necessary support to the country. Algeria made recommendations.
36.
France asked Togo whether the National Human Rights Commission had presented
any conclusions with regard to the examination of torture claims. Furthermore, it expressed
concern with regard to the lack of independence of the judiciary and the lack of respect for
rules concerning custody, which was in contradiction with the State’s international
commitments and its constitution. France also expressed concern at bad detention
conditions, arbitrary detention and prolonged detention without judgment. France made
recommendations.
37.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela welcomed the efforts deployed by Togo
regarding economic, social and cultural rights, despite the economic difficulties it faced. It
acknowledged the fact that Togo had increased the school enrolment rate, as well as the
budget allocated to education. It noted that the international community should provide
Togo with assistance and cooperation to face the current infrastructure needs in the area of
education. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela made a recommendation.
38.
Canada welcomed the decriminalization of press crimes, abolishment of the death
penalty, law on rape, decreased education fees, awareness-raising on sexual and
reproductive health, and the establishment of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation
Commission, recently mandated to investigate allegations of torture. Concern was
expressed at domestic violence, the criminalization of consensual sexual relations between
adults of the same sex, the limited representation of minorities in civil service, the conduct
6
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