UN accuses Togo of human rights abuses during election riots News
UN accuses Togo of human rights abuses during election riots

[JURIST] UN human rights officials have accused the government of Togo [JURIST news archive] of using over-zealous force at the time of the heavily disputed April presidential elections [JURIST report], saying that government security and armed forces killed 400-500 people and wounded thousands more. A report [accompanying press release] released Monday by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) [official website] concluded that the primary blame for the violence belonged to the government. Togo's long-time President Gnassingbe Eyadema died in February 2005; the army's installation of his son as leader precipitated a political crisis [JURIST report] which forced the elections. Human rights and forensic experts sent to Togo in June found evidence of torture, rape, sexual violence and widespread inhumane treatment of the Togo people. The Togolese government has not commented on the report. Voice of America has more.