Photo: Ben Buckland
Staff from Togo’s national human rights institution (CNDH) have begun utilising skills developed through an APT-led training programme in monitoring the situation of women deprived of liberty.
The CNDH has a department designated as the country’s national preventive mechanism (NPM), following Togo’s ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture in 2010 and the passage of legislation to establish the NPM in 2018.
To support their work as an independent oversight body, the APT developed an in-depth online course on gender-sensitive monitoring, which CNDH and NPM staff commenced in November 2022.
The course aimed to build a common level of knowledge (including risks and moments of vulnerability for women and vulnerable groups in detention) and methodological skills amongst NPMs on monitoring the situation of women in detention.
It shared key principles from the Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (Bangkok Rules), as well as practical ways oversight bodies can promote compliance with the Bangkok Rules and other international conventions to protect women, and prevent torture and ill-treatment in detention.
Building on the online training, the APT held a face-to-face workshop on gender-sensitive monitoring for CNDH and MPM staff in the Kpalimé regional office, from 7-9 August 2023.
Feedback from the online course was very positive, with staff sharing how the information helped deepen their planning and implementation of visits to monitor the situation of women and other vulnerable groups in places of detention.
APT representatives - Jasmine Zik-Ikeorha, Juvenal Babona and Luce Ahouangnimon – also accompanied CNDH and MPM staff conduct a day-long monitoring visit to Kpalimé Civil Prison, which included interviews in private with women and children held there.
Following the visit, the APT led a discussion to identify monitoring processes and procedures that could be strengthened for future visits, as well as strategies to develop effective recommendations for the relevant authorities.
While in Togo, the APT convened a roundtable discussion on the Méndez Principles on Effective Interviewing, bringing together leading civil society organisations and CNDH members, in the capital, Lomé.
Discussions focused on practical strategies for the CNDH and civil society to collaborate on promoting awareness and implementation of the Méndez Principles, especially with regards to training for law enforcement officials, upholding safeguards for arrested persons, and ensuring protection for whistleblowers.
The APT also met with representatives from key Togolese ministries – the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection – to discuss how implementation of the Méndez Principles can support police and legal reforms taking place in the country.
