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Togo: The situation of homosexual people

A case-specific research report written in response to a research request.

Sources consulted

The earliest source dates from DECEMBER 2020 (except for the relevant legislation, dating from November 2015) and the most recent source dates from MAY 2023.

  1. International Organisations

  • United Nations Human Rights Committee
  1. Government sources

  • Togolese Republic (RepublicOfTogo.com)

  • United States Department of State (USDOS)

  • CGRS-CEDOCA – Office of the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (Belgium), COI unit

  1. NGOS and think tanks

  • Afrique arc-en-ciel

Afrique arc-en-ciel is a Togolese NGO, created in 2007, which aims to fight HIV/AIDS and work for the equality of LGBT people at local, regional and international level through legal aid, documentation of human rights violations, and advocacy. 

  • Human Dignity Trust

The Human Dignity Trust is a London-based NGO which works with legal professionals, civil society organizations and activists globally to defend the rights of LGBT people through strategic litigation, particularly in countries where private same-sex consensual sexual activity is criminalized.

  • International Committee of the Red Cross - International Humanitarian Law Databases

  • ILGA World

ILGA World – the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association - is a worldwide federation of more than 1,700 organisations from over 160 countries and territories campaigning for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex human rights.

We want a world where the human rights of all are respected and where everyone can live in equality and freedom: a world where global justice and equity are assured and established regardless of people’s sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).

Established in 1978, ILGA World has ECOSOC consultative status at the United Nations.” (Description taken from organisation’s website).

  • Synergía - Initiatives for Human Rights

Synergía - Initiatives for Human Rights is a human rights NGO created in 2017 by experienced human rights defenders based in the USA, Latin America, Europe and Africa. It aims to protect and promote human rights, especially in situations of systematic and flagrant violations. Synergía - Initiatives for Human Rights runs a number of programmes on human rights violations against LGBTI people and works with civil society organizations and human rights defenders to defend LGBTI people’s rights in Latin America, the Caribbean, Central and West Africa, and the Middle East & North Africa. The organization’s work in this regard focuses on movement-building, security and protection, and human rights advocacy. 
 

  1. Media

  • 24heure Info

24heure Info is a private Togo-based news and information website directed by Komla Charles-Germain Djade, laureate of a 2019 UNDP prize for impact journalism in Togo. The site aims to provide original content on current affairs in Togo, Africa and the world.

  • Chronique de la Semaine

Chronique de la Semaine is a private, Togo-based weekly magazine, created in 2008.

  • Deutsche Welle

  • Full-News

Full-News is a Togo-based news and entertainment website, created in 2012 and published by the ASMECOM (L’Africaine des Services Média et Communication) company. Full-News is registered at HAAC, Togo’s national media authority.

  • Ici Lomé

Ici Lomé is a Togolese news, entertainment and opinion website, which also hosts classified and real estate advertising. The article cited is an opinion piece by Gerry Taama, a Togolese member of parliament.

  • Netafrique.net

Netafrique.net is a general information platform which produces and republishes articles and online content on current affairs, with a particular focus on Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo. The platform claims to be apolitical and independent, and that it aims to provide a space for democratic debate. It is run by young communications and information technology professionals, and published by the NetAfrique Group, which has offices in Abidjan, Ouagadougou and Paris.

  • openDemocracy

openDemocracy is an independent international media platform, headquartered in London.

  • TogoBreakingNews

TogoBreakingNews is a Togo-based online media site run by a group of young journalists. Information on the website indicates that TogoBreakingNews has been published since 2014, and is registered with HAAC, Togo’s national media authority.