DOCSLIB.ORG

A Field Report on the Protection and Effectiveness of Human-Rights Defenders in West and East Africa and the Horn

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Field Report on the Protection and Effectiveness of Human-Rights Defenders in West and East Africa and the Horn Human-rights defenders in need of defense: A field report on the protection and effectiveness of Human-rights defenders in West and East Africa and the Horn By Hassan Shire Sheikh, James Torh and Peter Penz Centre for Refugee Studies, York University, Toronto This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from the International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada; INTER PARES; and Amnesty International Canada 2 Contents Synopsis The project: goals, approach, institutions, and researchers Goals Approach Institutions The researchers and their work Background The cause of HRDs The risks of HRDs Findings Introduction East Africa and the Horn Somalia (together with Somaliland) Eritrea Ethiopia Sudan Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda West Africa Senegal Gambia Guinea Sierra Leone Liberia Ivory Coast Togo Analysis and conclusions 1. Shortcomings in HRD links, networking and collaboration 2. Shortcomings in resources for HRD effectiveness 3. Shortcomings in HRD skill training 4. Need for international-community action Appendices A. Project methodology B. Consultations and contacts in West Africa and Europe C. Declarations regarding human-rights defenders Declaration of the All-Africa Human Rights Defenders Conference, Johannesburg, South Africa, November 1998 African Human Rights Defenders Project 3 Synopsis The project: goals, approach, institutions, and researchers The African Human Rights Defenders Project is designed to strengthen the work of human- rights defenders in Africa by reducing their vulnerability to the risk of persecution and by enhancing their capacity for effectiveness in defending human rights. It focuses on West Africa, East Africa and the Horn. The current report covers the first, exploratory stage of the project. It identifies the most pressing unmet needs of human-rights defenders there, especially regarding personal security and effectiveness, and addresses the question of the kind of assistance that can be provided from outside Africa, especially from Canada. This stage of the project was carried out through field trips in March and April 2004 to the two regions. They involved extensive consultations with a wide range of human-rights defenders as well as several public officials. The project has been conducted by the Centre for Refugee Studies at York University in Canada. It has been funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Amnesty International-Canada, and Inter Pares. The project was designed and is being carried out by two former human-rights defenders, Mr. Hassan Shire, who had been active in Somalia and who is covering East Africa and the Horn for this project, and Mr. James Torh, who had been active in Liberia and who is covering West Africa. Professor Peter Penz, until recently Director of the Centre for Refugee Studies, guided the project and assumed responsibility for the report. The field report is mostly on a country-by-country basis. Its overall findings are as follows: (1) The most important weakness identified is insufficient collaboration among the human-rights organizations, especially among neighbouring countries. As a result, when repressive regimes force advocates to flee their countries, the latter frequently leave their region and go to Europe or the Americas. This means that their institutions lose their most experienced HRDs. (2) The effectiveness of human-rights defenders as well as their vulnerability is greatly limited by resource constraints. In particular, they need access to good information, i.e. computers and internet, communication resources, and funds for transportation. (3) The specialized expertise required for being a human-rights defender means that there is a great need for knowledge development and skill training, especially on human- rights instruments and mechanisms as well as crisis management, particularly under repressive regimes. (4) At times the efforts of local and national human-rights defenders need to be supplemented by those of the wider international community, especially when attacks on African Human Rights Defenders Project 4 intra-national human-rights defenders are involved. There may be a need for systematic protocols for such support. Plans for the next stage of this project will be presented in a separate document. The project: goals, approach, institutions, and researchers Goals The African Human Rights Defenders Project is designed to strengthen the work of human- rights defenders in Africa by reducing their vulnerability to the risk of persecution and by enhancing their capacity for effectiveness in defending human rights. It thus also serves to advance the protection of human rights, the rule of law and democratic institutions. It attempts to find answers to the following three questions: (1) Within the human-rights-threatening setting of West Africa, East Africa, and the Horn of Africa, what are the pressing needs of local human-rights defenders not being met by existing programs? (2) In particular, how can human-rights defenders be made (a) more secure and (b) more effective in their work? (3) How can such support be provided to human-rights defenders in Africa from outside Africa? More specifically, what particular strengths and resources could a Canada-based Initiative bring to addressing these needs? Approach These aims have been addressed through field work that was designed by the two project researchers, reviewed by the Centre for Refugee Studies at York University in Canada, and approved by the university’s Human Participants Review Sub-Committee. It involved separate field trips to West Africa and to East Africa and the Horn, respectively, in March and April 2004. In each region a wide range of HRDs as well as several public officials were consulted. Electronic and telephonic communications supplemented these face-to- face meetings. (See Appendix A.) African Human Rights Defenders Project 5 Institutions The project has been conducted by the Centre for Refugee Studies at York University in Canada. It has been funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Amnesty International-Canada, and Inter Pares and has received in-kind support from the Centre for Refugee Studies. Many organizations were consulted in the process of carrying out the needs assessment. In addition, advice was sought from institutions in Europe about the next stage for the project. Many of these organizations are identified in Appendix B. The researchers and their work The project was designed and carried out by two former human-rights defenders, Mr. Hassan Shire, who had been active in Somalia and who has covered East Africa and the Horn for this project, and Mr. James Torh, who had been active in Liberia and who has covered West Africa. Both are affiliated with York University’s Centre for Refugee Studies as Research Associates. The substantial work experience in human-rights work and extensive connections in the community of human-rights advocates and institutions of the two researchers was a crucial asset of the project. Professor Peter Penz, who was Director of the Centre for Refugee Studies when the project started and the field work was carried out, guided the project and assumed responsibility for the integrated report. Mr. Sabil Francis pulled together the first draft of the synthesis of the reports from the two researchers. Background The cause of HRDs (HRD will be used to refer to “human-rights defender”, with HRDs as the plural.) HRDs are men and women on the front lines of the struggle to ensure that the principles laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and subsequent human-rights conventions are upheld. HRDs are a crucial link in the chain of human-rights protection, from campaigning on behalf of victims of human-rights violations to lobbying at the highest levels for improved mechanisms for human-rights protection. In the process they support the rule of law and the institutions and principles of democracy around the world. By publicizing human-rights instruments and lobbying state authorities and regional bodies, they raise awareness of human-rights entitlements and help to mobilize victims of abuses to fight against them. They may be members of explicit and exclusive human-rights organizations, but they may also belong to youth groups, churches, or women's or development associations. Some African Human Rights Defenders Project 6 may act in an individual capacity. They include lawyers, journalists, teachers, social activists or community leaders. Wherever and whenever there is persecution and oppression, minorities and other vulnerable groups are threatened, and human rights are denied or human dignity is threatened, defenders tend to emerge and strive to protect the weak and hold the authorities to account. The risks of HRDs More often than not, the courageous work of HRDs puts them in positions of great personal and professional risk. They embarrass and threaten the legitimacy of authorities and other powerful groups that violate human rights in the process of exercising power. They thus attract the attention of power-holders, who then very often turn their patterns of persecution and oppression against HRDs, often in a more violent manner than against those whom the HRDs are trying to protect. This has been recognized by the United Nations. Following a decade-long campaign by leading human-rights organizations, including Amnesty International, the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 2010 Human Rights Report: Senegal Page 1 of 21
    2010 Human Rights Report: Senegal Page 1 of 21 Home » Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs » Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor » Releases » Human Rights Reports » 2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices » Africa » Senegal 2010 Human Rights Report: Senegal BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR 2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices April 8, 2011 Senegal, with an estimated population of 12.8 million, is a moderately decentralized republic dominated by a strong executive branch. In 2007 Abdoulaye Wade was reelected president in an election generally viewed as free and fair despite sporadic incidents of violence and intimidation. In 2007 the ruling Senegalese Democratic Party (PDS) won the majority of seats in National Assembly elections that were boycotted by the leading opposition parties. During the March 2009 local elections (municipal, regional, and rural communities), a multiparty opposition coalition scored significant victories, especially in the country's major cities. International observers characterized the March 2009 elections as generally free and transparent. Security forces reported to civilian authorities. Major human rights problems included the following: inhuman and degrading treatment of detainees and prisoners, including reports of physical abuse and torture; overcrowded prisons; questionable investigative detention and long pretrial detention; lack of an independent judiciary; limits on freedoms of speech, press, and assembly; corruption and impunity; rape, domestic violence, sexual harassment of and discrimination against women; female genital mutilation (FGM); child abuse; child marriage; infanticide; trafficking in persons; and child labor. Rebels associated with the Movement of Democratic Forces of the Casamance (MFDC) killed civilians and military personnel, committed robberies, fought with the army, and harassed local populations while fighting each other.
    [Show full text]
  • TOGOLESE REPUBLIC Work-Liberty-Fatherland 6Th, 7Th and 8Th PERIODIC REPORTS of the STATE of TOGO on the IMPLEMENTATION of the A
    TOGOLESE REPUBLIC Work-Liberty-Fatherland 6th, 7th and 8th PERIODIC REPORTS OF THE STATE OF TOGO ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLES’ RIGHTS (Article 62 of the Charter) August 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 14 PART ONE ........................................................................................................................................ 15 OVERALL LEGAL FRAMEWORK ON HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION . .............................. 15 PART TWO ...................................................................................................................................... 17 NATIONAL MEASURES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHARTER . ........................ 17 Articles 2 and 3 : The right to the enjoyment of rights and freedoms recognised and guaranteed by the Charter without distinction of any kind and equality before the law .......................................... 17 Article 4 : The protection of the right to life ..................................................................................... 17 The Death Penalty .............................................................................................................................. 17 Articles 6 : The right to liberty and to the security of the person, prohibition from arrests or arbitrary detentions .........................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS on the FRONT LINE Debut A5.Qxp 04/04/2005 12:04 Page 2 Debut A5.Qxp 04/04/2005 12:04 Page 3
    debut_a5.qxp 04/04/2005 12:04 Page 1 HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS ON THE FRONT LINE debut_a5.qxp 04/04/2005 12:04 Page 2 debut_a5.qxp 04/04/2005 12:04 Page 3 Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders / FIDH and OMCT Human Rights Defenders on the Front Line Annual Report 2004 Foreword by Lida Yusupova debut_a5.qxp 04/04/2005 12:04 Page 4 Drafting, editing and co-ordination : Catherine François, Julia Littmann, Juliane Falloux and Antoine Bernard (FIDH) Delphine Reculeau, Mariana Duarte, Anne-Laurence Lacroix and Eric Sottas (OMCT) The Observatory thanks Marjane Satrapi, comic strip author and illustrator of the annual report cover, for her constant and precious support. The Observatory thanks all partner organisations of FIDH and OMCT, as well as the teams of these organisations. Distribution : this report is published in English, Spanish and French versions. The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) authorise the free reproduction of extracts of this text on condition that the source is credited and that a copy of the publication containing the text is sent to the respective International Secretariats. FIDH – International Federation for Human Rights 17, passage de la Main d'Or – 75 011 Paris – France Tel.: + 33 (0) 1 43 55 25 18 – Fax: + 33 (0) 1 43 55 18 80 [email protected] / www.fidh.org OMCT – World Organisation Against Torture 8, rue du Vieux-Billard – Case postale 21 – 1211 Geneva 8 – Switzerland Tel.: + 41 22 809 49 39 – Fax: + 41 22 809 49 29 [email protected] / www.omct.org debut_a5.qxp 04/04/2005 12:04 Page 5 FOREWORD UNITED AGAINST HORROR by Lida Yusupova Human rights defenders in Chechnya have to work in an extremely difficult environment.
    [Show full text]
  • Economic and Social Council
    UNITED NATIONS E Economic and Social Distr. GENERAL Council E/CN.4/1995/16 6 February 1995 ENGLISH Original: FRENCH COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Fifty-first session Item 3 of the provisional agenda ORGANIZATION OF THE WORK OF THE SESSION Situation of human rights in Togo Report of the Secretary-General CONTENTS Paragraphs Page Introduction ........................ 1- 8 3 I. INFORMATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF TOGO ....... 9-10 4 II. ACTION TAKEN BY THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ..................... 11 11 III. ACTION TAKEN BY SPECIAL RAPPORTEURS AND WORKING GROUPS OF THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND BY TREATY MECHANISMS IN RESPECT OF TOGO ......... 12-33 11 A. Action taken by the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions .................... 12-16 11 B. Action taken by the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture ............ 17-19 12 C. Action taken by the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances ...... 20-24 12 D. Treaty mechanisms ................ 25-33 13 GE.95-10606 (E) E/CN.4/1995/16 page 2 CONTENTS (continued) Paragraphs Page IV. INFORMATION FROM NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS . 34 - 50 15 A. The overall situation in Togo during 1994 .... 35-39 15 B. Human rights violations attributed to the Togolese armed forces .............. 40-43 16 C. Other violations of the right to life and to physical integrity ............ 44-46 16 D. Freedom of expression and press freedom ..... 47-50 17 E/CN.4/1995/16 page 3 Introduction 1. On 9 March 1994, at its fiftieth session, the Commission on Human Rights adopted without a vote resolution 1994/78, entitled "Situation of human rights in Togo", in which it welcomed the holding, in generally satisfactory conditions, of parliamentary elections on 6 and 20 February 1994, which constitute an essential element towards a democratic change in Togo.
    [Show full text]
  • Bachelor Thesis
    Bachelor Thesis The EU as External Democracy Promoter in Sub-Saharan Africa – The Role of Conditionality and Positive Measures Appropriateness and Effectiveness of Political Conditionality as Instrument of Democracy Promotion in the EU Development Cooperation with the ACP States Mathias Kamp Dannenkamp 8 48432 Rheine Tel.: 05975/224 E-mail: [email protected] Student Number: s0122262 (UT); 312073 (WWU) Course: BA European Studies Supervisor: Dr. Jörg Waldmann Co-Reader: Dr. Martin Rosema Münster, 21/09/2007 Content Introduction 4 Structure & Methodology 5 1. Democracy, Democratization & Development Cooperation 9 1.1 Promoting Democracy, Human Rights and Good Governance 9 1.1.1 Democratization and Democracy Promotion 9 1.1.2 Core Concepts: Democracy, Human Rights, Good Governance 11 1.2 Development Cooperation and Democracy Promotion: 17 International Context 2. Instruments of Democracy Promotion: Conditionality and Positive 20 Measures 2.1 Political Conditionality: Restrictive Measures 20 2.1.1 Conception and Origin 20 2.1.2 Types of Conditionality and Implementation Measures 22 2.1.3 Criticism towards Conditionality 24 2.2 Democracy Promotion through Positive Measures 27 2.2.1 Conception and Origin 27 2.2.2 Fields of Activities 29 2.2.3 Criticism 30 3. EU Democracy Promotion within the ACP-Cooperation 31 3.1 EU Development Cooperation and Democracy Promotion 32 3.2 The EU-ACP Cooperation 34 3.3 Conditionality in the EU-ACP Cooperation 34 3.3.1 Development of the Formal Frame 34 3.3.2 EU Sanctions Policy 37 3.4 Positive Measures in the EU-ACP Cooperation 39 3.4.1 Framework for Positive Measures 39 3.4.2 Financial Sources: EDF and EIDHR 41 2 3.5 Current Trends and Reform Processes 44 3.5.1 The New Paradigm of Development Co-operation: 44 “Poverty Reduction”, “Ownership”, “Partnership” 3.5.2 The European Consensus 46 3.5.3 The EU Africa Strategy 48 4.
    [Show full text]
  • AFR 57/006/2001 Togo
    TOGO The time for accountability has finally arrived The facts described above demonstrate the existence throughout of systematic violations of human rights in Togo during 1998 (Report of the International Commission of Inquiry on Togo, February 2001) Introduction A few days ago, on 22 February 2001, a report was made public on systematic human rights violations committed by the Togolese security forces in 1998. It was drawn up by the International Commission of Inquiry on Togo (the Commission) which was set up by the United Nations (UN) and the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The Commission’s report is the third in under a year, all published under the auspices of the UN, which accuses Togo of violating international standards, both in relation to human rights and to the arms embargo on Angola. Two UN reports, published in March and December 2000 respectively, accuse some African leaders, including General Gnassingbé Eyadéma, the Togolese head of state and current President of the OAU, of involvement in arms trading with the armed Angolan opposition group, the União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola (UNITA), National Union for the Total Independence of Angola. Representatives of the international community are as a result now sending clear indications to the Togolese authorities that they should respect international standards, to which they themselves have subscribed, and that the era of impunity must end. The Commission was set up in June 2000. It was charged with “verifying the truth of allegations of hundreds of extrajudicial executions, which allegedly took place in Togo during 1998, made in Amnesty International’s report published on 5 May 1999.” Amnesty International’s information in this report, Togo: State of terror, included the discovery of hundreds of bodies out at sea or along the beaches of Togo and Benin during and after the presidential election of 1998.
    [Show full text]
  • Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
    United Nations CEDAW/C/TGO/1-5 Convention on the Elimination Distr.: General of All Forms of Discrimination 18 March 2004 English against Women Original: French Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Consideration of reports submitted by States Parties under article 18 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Initial, second, third, fourth and fifth periodic reports of States Parties Togo* * The present report is being issued without formal editing. 04-27833 (E) 060504 060504 *0427833* CEDAW/C/TGO/1-5 Contents Page Abbreviations ................................................................... 3 Introduction .................................................................... 10 Part 1: General information about Togo .............................................. 11 1. The geographic setting ........................................................ 11 2. Political and administrative structure............................................. 27 Administrative map of Togo ....................................................... 30 3. General legal framework for the protection of human rights in Togo ................... 30 4. Information and publicity ...................................................... 32 Part II: Information relating to articles 1 to 16 of the Convention ......................... 33 Article 1 ....................................................................... 33 Article 2 ....................................................................... 34 Article 3
    [Show full text]
  • COI Compilation August 2016
    TOGO COI Compilation August 2016 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Representation in Ghana Regional Representation for West Africa (RSD Unit) UNHCR Representation in Ghana UNHCR Regional Representation for West Africa (RSD Unit) Togo COI Compilation August 2016 This report collates country of origin information (COI) on Togo up to 25 August 2016 on issues of relevance in refugee status determination for Togolese nationals. The report is based on publicly available information, studies and commentaries. It is illustrative, but is neither exhaustive of information available in the public domain nor intended to be a general report on human-rights conditions. The report is not conclusive as to the merits of any individual refugee claim. All sources are cited and fully referenced. Users should refer to the full text of documents cited and assess the credibility, relevance and timeliness of source material with reference to the specific research concerns arising from individual applications. UNHCR Representation in Ghana 16 Labone Drive, 4 Dade Walk Accra, Ghana Phone: + 233 30 276 05 36 UNHCR Regional Representation for West Africa Immeuble FAALO Almadies, Route du King Fahd Palace Dakar, Senegal - BP 3125 Phone: +221 33 867 62 07 Kora.unhcr.org - www.unhcr.org Table of Contents List of Abbreviations .............................................................................................................. 3 1 Background Information ................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • África: Revista Do Centro De Estudos Africanos
    África: Revista do Centro de Estudos Africanos. USP, S. Paulo, 22-23: 173-190, 1999/2000/2001. ROLE OF HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENT DURING THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS IN TOGO Takuo IWATA* ABSTRACT: 10 years ago, we began to speak the democratic transition in Africa. But after certain years, the African countries fell again in the authoritative regime. We analyze the democratic transition in Togo on the movement of human rights that directed the civil society. Discussions of the civil society in the African political studies missed the empiric discussion of the political stage. We think the relation between the civil society and de- mocratization in the concrete analysis. We focalized the change of engagements of the human rights organization in the setting of democratization. At the end, we will think the role and the problematic of the civil society in the democratic process in Africa. Keywords: Democratic Transition; Human Rights; Civil Society; Togo 1 INTRODUCTION The political scientists have become used to paying attention to other political actors besides that of the state in African political studies, through the political change to a multi-party system in the 1990’s. The concept of civil soci- ety1 has not only been recognized as an analytical approach, but also been spread over the context of development. However, this concept is a subject in itself to (*) Kobe University, Japan. (1) The concept of civil society is far from fixed and clear definition, so it has to be used reflectively. This article treats this concept in minimal sense as “Politicised society”. So civil society doesn’t have automatically democratic character, nor will of democratisation.
    [Show full text]
  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 16 December 1966
    UNITED NATIONS CCPR International covenant Distr. on civil and GENERAL political rights CCPR/C/TGO/2001/3 5 July 2001 ENGLISH Original: FRENCH HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS SUBMITTED BY STATES PARTIES UNDER ARTICLE 40 OF THE COVENANT Addendum TOGO* [19 April 2001] * This report is issued unedited, in compliance with the wish expressed by the Human Rights Committee at its sixty-sixth session in July 1999. GE.01-43065 (E) CCPR/C/TGO/2001/3 page 2 1. On 7 and 8 July 1994 Togo submitted its second periodic report to the Human Rights Committee under article 40 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 16 December 1966. 2. By his letter No. G/SO 221/922 (3) dated 24 November 1994, the United Nations Secretary-General requested the Togolese Government to submit its third periodic report. In compliance with that request, the Togolese Government submits the following report. PART I POLITICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN TOGO THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION 3. Following social and political problems connected with the transition to democracy, Togo has now set its feet in the road to stability and social peace. 4. The first Government of the Fourth Republic, which was formed in May 1994, has from the outset been committed to building a democratic Togo in which all population groups will be reconciled and desire national unity, peace and public order. 5. This commitment was proclaimed in the political programme of the then Prime Minister, the broad aims of which were: − To institute a policy of national reconciliation; − To restore national unity; − To guarantee the security of persons and property; − To help build a State based on the rule of law and human rights; − To promote justice, which is the guarantor of individual liberties.
    [Show full text]
  • A/HRC/10/12/Add.2 4 March 2009
    UNITED NATIONS A General Assembly Distr. GENERAL A/HRC/10/12/Add.2 4 March 2009 Original: ENGLISH HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Tenth session Agenda item 3 PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF ALL HUMAN RIGHTS, CIVIL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mrs. Margaret Sekaggya* Addendum MISSION TO TOGO** (28 July to 4 August 2008) * Late submission. ** The summary is being circulated in all official languages. The report itself, contained in the annex to the summary, is being circulated in English and French. GE.09-11646 (E) 110309 A/HRC/10/12/Add.2 page 2 Summary The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders conducted a country visit to Togo from 28 July to 4 August 2008 during which she met with senior government officials as well as a broad range of human rights defenders. The purpose of the visit was to assess the situation of human rights defenders in Togo in light of the principles set forth in the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. Following an introductory section (I), in section II the Special Rapporteur presents the general context in which human rights defenders in Togo operate. Since 2005, Togo has been engaged in a process of political transition and, as a consequence, the prospects for the promotion and protection of human rights are improving. In section III, the Special Rapporteur describes the legal and institutional framework for the promotion and protection of human rights in Togo. She welcomes the series of initiatives aimed at ensuring an environment conducive to the work of human rights defenders.
    [Show full text]
  • Elections and Democratization in West Africa
    A Service of Leibniz-Informationszentrum econstor Wirtschaft Leibniz Information Centre Make Your Publications Visible. zbw for Economics Kohnert, Dirk Book Part — Accepted Manuscript (Postprint) Togo: Thorny transitions and misguided aid at the roots of economic misery Suggested Citation: Kohnert, Dirk (2011) : Togo: Thorny transitions and misguided aid at the roots of economic misery, In: Saine, Abdoulaye N'Diaye, Boubacar Houngnikpo, Mathurin (Ed.): Elections and democratization in West Africa 1990 – 2009, ISBN 1-59221-773-7, Africa World Press, Trenton, NJ, pp. 179-210 This Version is available at: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/118654 Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen: Terms of use: Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Documents in EconStor may be saved and copied for your Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden. personal and scholarly purposes. Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle You are not to copy documents for public or commercial Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich purposes, to exhibit the documents publicly, to make them machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen. publicly available on the internet, or to distribute or otherwise use the documents in public. Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, If the documents have been made available under an Open gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort Content Licence (especially Creative Commons Licences), you genannten Lizenz gewährten Nutzungsrechte. may exercise further usage rights as specified in the indicated licence. www.econstor.eu From: Saine, Abdoulaye / N ’Diaye, Boubacar / Houngnikpoet, Mathurin (eds.) (2010): Elections and democratization in West Africa 1990 – 2009.
    [Show full text]