It is with great emotion, but no surprise, that the Canadian Togolese Community (CTC) noted the international Commission Joint Inquiry Report of the UN/OAU on the allegations of extra-judicial executions in Togo. This report confirms beyond any doubt, the existence and the persistence of systematic violations of the human rights in our country.

We were deeply shocked and indignant to learn that political leaders, security forces and the Togolese Army, chose to implement in a such a horrifically shameful and systematic way, governmental practices based on violence, torture, kidnappings, rape and mass extra-judicial executions.

We are also incensed by the underhanded practices of camouflage and corruption used within the
Togolese populations and those of close countries, particularly amongst the people of Benin, that aim to deform the results of this international inquiry commission. 

In this respect, we make a point of thanking and congratulating the members of the Inquiry Commission, for courage, tenacity and professional integrity that they demonstrated throughout their mandate. 

We invite the General Secretaries of the UN/OAU, the International Community, the Commission of Human Rights , the African Commission of Human Rights, the Togolese people and the Togolese government, to apply without delay, all the recommendations made and published by this Inquiry Commission in its report of February 21st, 2001.

We ask the governments of Canada, the United States and those of European Union to send technical and financial aid, in the implementation of these recommendations, and to assure a normal follow-up of this file in its entire execution. We insist particularly on the following points:
- the installation of teams of legitimate experts and medical examiners to hold further enquiries as recommended by the Commission; 
- the nomination of a special reporter on the situation of humans rights in Togo;
- the implementation of a follow-up mechanism for the witnesses’ protection. 

We request from the proper Togolese authorities to initiate, as soon as possible, a real penal, judicial enquiry which would allow clarification of the various allegations of crimes contained in this report, to identify, to pursue and sentence those responsible and the sponsors of these odious crimes. 

In addition, given the allegations of responsibilities and charge in some for these crimes to the actual Togolese Prime Minister, Mr. Agbéyomé Kodjo, we demand his immediate resignation.  This is, on one hand, to restore the credibility of the Togolese Government not only within the country but also overseas, and to assure the security and serenity of the population in preparation for the anticipated legislative elections planned for next October. This is also to facilitate further enquiries recommended by the International Enquiry Commission. 

We ask the Togolese people, to continue their courageous and legitimate fight for their liberation, so that freedom, justice, peace, fraternity, progress and prosperity lives in Togo.
 

Ottawa (Ont.), Canada, March 6, 2001
For the Canadian Togolese Community,
Alexis Ajavon, President