On this page, you will find:
- Information on the legal framework concerning LGBTQI+ rights in Togo
- Information on public attitude and state capacity to protect in Togo
- Relevant case law
- A list of organisations supporting LGBTQI+ individuals in Togo
- A list of Country of Origin experts in LGBTQI+ rights
- Country of Origin Information on the situation and treatment of the LGBTQI+ community in Kenya
Legal Framework
Penal Code of 13 August 1980-
Section 2- Offenses against Good Morals:
Article 88 – Impudent acts or crimes against nature with an individual of the same sex will be punished with three years imprisonment and a fine of 100,000-500,000 francs” (Unofficial translation)
The Togolese Constitution has non-discrimination provisions:
Section 2 Art. 6- “All Togolese people are equal under the law without distinction of sex, origin, race, language, beliefs or opinions.” (Unofficial translation)
Togo is party to the ICCPR since signing the Treaty on March 24, 1984, and therefore all of the non-discrimination articles within the treaty in addition to the one within its own constitution would suggest that the criminalization of homosexuality in Togo is unconstitutional by its own laws.
For more detailed information on the protection of LGBTQI+ rights in Togo, visit the Togo ILGA World Database.
LGBTI Togolese people are more vulnerable to rape and extortion by consensual partners. They can be victims of blackmail, and as a result often feel compelled to keep quiet about crimes committed against them. They become marginalized and stigmatized by family, friends and communities. Their situation is worsened by the fact that many people do not even believe that homosexuality exists. Therefore LGBTI people must maintain a high level of secrecy, so it is difficult to ascertain exactly how large the LGBTI population is in Togo. According to Togo LGBT Shadow Report, the sexuality of LGBTI people limits their access to protection from police, and various personal or professional support networks that help victims cope with threats.
Local organizations have spent the past five years trying to provide better information about HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention which has improved quality of live for many LGBTI Togolese. When the organization Population Services International (PSI) first arrived in Togo, 80% of men who had sex with men (MSM) did not use condoms because they believed that they were at equal or less risk of transmitting HIV than general population. It was a common belief that HIV was only transmitted through sleeping with women. Despite the improved access to health information, more than 1 in 3 MSM tested positive for HIV. Although these organizations have extensively aided the LGBTI community in Togo, the government has failed to provide enough antiretroviral (ARV) medication, which leads the organizations to question where all of the government’s funding is going if not to the community most at risk.
On October 6, 2011, the Working Group on the UPR recommended that Togo decriminalize homosexuality. Togo rejected this recommendation on the grounds that the topic was too controversial for an already fragile nation and that argued that it would be ‘counter-productive’ due to the way homosexuality was perceived in Togo. (ILGA)
We have not found any relevant case law at this time but we welcome suggestions. If you have any suggestions, please get in touch.
Organisations supporting LGBTQI+ individuals
Website
Address: 3047 bretelle de Klikamé, quartier Agbalépédogan, BP 14 543 Lomé, Togo
Tel: + 228 251 46 56
Email: espoirvietogo@gmail.com
Prevention and care and treatment towards MSM or other minority sexual Organization of PLHIV (persons contaminated and affected including ORPHANS) and of persons hired in the conflict against the AIDS, EVT intends to work with the national and international partners to assure the universal access to prevention, care, treatments and supports of PLHIV and those were attained by recurrent infections or by chronic pathologies.
http://www.psi.org/togo
Address: PSI/Togo
Immeuble Auba, 1er étage,
BP 13804,
Lome, Togo
Tel: +228 2 22 27 57, +228 2 22 77 67
Fax: +228 2 22 46 24
Email: angelika@atmd.tg
PSI/Togo began operations in 1996 to promote Protector Plus male condoms to help curb the spread of HIV. Key messages in mass media and peer education encourage consistent condom use, fidelity and HIV testing. PSI/Togo’s health interventions now also include malaria, reproductive health and water-borne diseases.
Address: 05 BP: 286, Lome 05, Togo
Tel: +228 220 91 59
Fax:+228 220 91 53
Email: ras_togo@yahoo.fr
Country of Origin experts in LGBTQI+ rights
We do not currently have any specialists on LGBTQI+ issues in Togo, but we welcome suggestions. If you have any suggestions, please contact us.
You can consult our Togo COI page for a list of experts who can provide country of origin information.
Country of Origin Information on LGBTQI+ situation
Country of Origin Information on LGBTQI+ situation
The following sections contain documents that can be consulted when looking for Country of Origin Information (COI) with regards to the situation and treatment of the LGBTQI+ community in Togo.
Togo Legal Assistance
Find organisations providing legal assistance to refugees in Togo.
Togo COI
Find Togo Country of Origin information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries, and relevant documents.
We are always looking to expand the resources on our platform. If you know about relevant resources, or you are aware of organisations and/or individuals to include in our directories, please get in touch.
Last updated January 2024
