Thank you Mister Chair
Norway welcomes the delegation of Togo and the presentation of the national report.
We commend the progress achieved in key areas in Togo and welcome the stated intention of the authorities to continue on a path towards effective realization of human rights in the country.
Norway is concerned that continued discrimination in the education system may jeopardize women’s future job possibilities and their active involvement in the development of Togo. We recommend that Togo implement measures to ensure girls’ and women’s access to all levels of education, and to ensure a higher level of women’s participation in public life.
Norway is also concerned about the infant and maternal mortality rates in Togo. We recommend a review of the current maternity health care policies and the introduction of necessary changes to ensure access for pregnant women to medical facilities throughout the country.
We commend Togo for the implementation of the 2007 Code on Child Protection and the continued tuition-free primary school, but we recommend that Togo implement necessary measures to reduce the relative high drop-out rate.
Although improvements have been observed, we are concerned about the continued unacceptable prison and detention centre conditions. We recommend that the government takes the steps necessary to ensure that all persons in prison or detention centers are treated according to Togolese laws and international obligations. We also recommend that steps are taken to ensure that female prisoners are guarded by female prison officers.
Norway notes with satisfaction reports of a significant decrease in acts of torture in Togo. We are however concerned over reports of lack of independent investigations on human rights violations in the past, including alleged cases of torture and acts of violence related to the 2005 elections. We therefore recommend that steps are taken to combat impunity in these cases and to ensure that legal protection is guaranteed.
Thank you.