Togo rights lawyer's office raided, data

Unidentified individuals broke into the office of Togolese human rights lawyer Assiom K. Bokodjin on the night of May 27-28, 2026. The intruders stole five computers and one external hard drive containing all the data for his active and closed legal cases.

According to a statement from the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and partner organizations, Bokodjin himself believes the act was an attempt at intimidation. It jeopardizes the safety of the lawyer and his clients. The stolen material held highly sensitive data related to criminal and civil cases where political or military authorities have direct interests. The raid appears to directly target Bokodjin for his work defending victims of alleged abuses by security forces during the 2025 protest crackdown.

A stalled investigation

The office promptly reported the burglary. They contacted the forensic police and filed a formal written complaint with the Republic's Prosecutor on June 3, 2026. The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) was informed and said it had alerted the Ministries of Justice and Security.

Despite these steps, more than three months after the incident, the investigation has produced no concrete developments. The signatory organizations argue that the judicial authorities have the resources to advance the case more quickly. The lack of progress, given that the stolen files implicate state agents, creates a serious risk of impunity. It sends a signal of insecurity to the entire legal and human rights defense profession in Togo.

International obligations unfulfilled

The groups point to specific unfulfilled state duties under international law. The UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders requires states to protect defenders from violence, threats, or retaliation. It also guarantees an effective remedy for rights violations. Also, the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers demand that governments ensure lawyers can perform their functions without intimidation or interference.

The current situation in Togo falls short of these standards. "The resources and means available to the judicial authorities should allow for faster progress in the case," the organizations state.

A persistent legal vacuum

This case highlights a concerning legal gap. Togo still lacks a specific law for the recognition and protection of human rights defenders. Neighboring countries like Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Mali have already adopted such legislation.

A draft law has been under discussion for years. The Togolese government committed in December 2023 to support its adoption in parliament, following recommendations from the UN Human Rights Committee in 2021 and Togo's 2022 Universal Periodic Review. That commitment has seen no concrete follow-through to date.

Such a law is deemed essential. It would provide a clear legal framework for the CNDH to fully exercise its protective mandate. It would also give defenders and their organizations a national legal basis to assert their status, request effective protection, and guard against acts of intimidation and reprisal.

Calls for immediate action

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, along with the CDFDH, CACIT, CTDDH, ACAT-France, and LTDH, have issued direct calls to the Togolese authorities. They demand immediate measures to ensure Bokodjin's safety and the security of his office. They insist on a swift investigation to identify and prosecute the perpetrators and possible sponsors of the burglary.

Their final demand is for the government to create a safe environment for lawyers and defenders by finally adopting the long-promised protection law. The groups vow to continue monitoring the case closely, emphasizing the need for vigilance regarding the safety of Assiom K. Bokodjin, his clients, and all human rights defenders in Togo.