The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, has urged the authorities in Togo to release human rights defender Abdoul Aziz Goma from prison. This appeal coincides with the seventh anniversary of Goma’s arrest, which occurred in 2018 in Lomé.
Lawlor emphasized that the Togolese Criminal Procedure Code allows for the conditional release of prisoners who have served at least half of their sentence. She highlighted Goma’s deteriorating health as a critical factor. “Given his severe ill health, he also meets the criteria outlined by the President of the Council of Ministers on December 2, 2025 for cases to be considered for clemency,” she stated. Lawlor called on the President to utilize these mechanisms for Goma’s immediate release.
Concerns Over Treatment and Health
Lawlor and other UN experts have previously expressed concerns regarding Goma’s treatment and ongoing detention, raising alarms in both 2021 and 2024. Goma was arrested after providing shelter to a group of young protesters in Lomé, although he did not take part in the demonstrations. Since his imprisonment, he has reportedly undertaken a hunger strike and has suffered a severe decline in health, including neurological damage and reduced mobility.
Lawlor criticized the handling of Goma’s case, stating that serious violations of due process and fair trial guarantees contravene Togo’s obligations under international human rights law. Goma spent several years in secret detention before being transferred to Togo’s formal prison system in 2022. Reports indicate that he faced ill-treatment and inadequate medical care while incarcerated.
Isidore Ngueuleu, head of an African rights group, visited Goma at Lomé Civil Prison and described his condition as experiencing “unspeakable abuse.” The prison is notorious for overcrowding and inhumane conditions, including physical beatings. Goma has reportedly faced physical abuse, electric shocks, and denial of medical treatment during his time there.
Political Context and International Response
Togo has faced increasing scrutiny regarding human rights, particularly following constitutional reforms in early 2024 that transitioned the country from a presidential to a parliamentary system. Earlier this year, Goma was tried in a single-day proceeding, convicted of multiple charges including undermining national security, and sentenced to ten years in prison. Critics argue that these reforms serve as a means for President Faure Gnassingbé, who has been in power for nineteen years, to extend his political control.
The constitutional changes have coincided with heightened criticism of restrictions on press freedom, including the arrest and beating of a French journalist covering political unrest in the country. In response to Goma’s plight, the European Parliament adopted a resolution in September 2025 urging Togo’s authorities to facilitate Goma’s urgent medical treatment and to “immediately and unconditionally release him.” The resolution also condemned the arbitrary detention and torture of political opponents and human rights defenders, stating that such actions undermine the rule of law and democratic governance in Togo.
As the situation develops, the international community continues to call for accountability and the protection of human rights defenders in Togo. The case of Abdoul Aziz Goma underscores the ongoing challenges facing individuals advocating for human rights in the region.
