Human rights defenders and political opponents throughout Togo were said to have come under constant harassment. Lawyers have difficulties in the exercise of their profession, notably when assisting detainees en garde à vue.
Security guards frequently prevent lawyers from meeting with their clients. The International Inquiry Commission on Togo concluded in its 2001 report that hundreds of people were extrajudicially executed throughout 1998.
Attacks on justice 2002-Togo-publications-2002 (full text, PDF)