[ Human Trafficking, Country-by-Country ]

TOGO (Tier 2) – Extracted in part from the U.S. State Dept 2023 TIP Report

The Government of Togo does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. The government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared with the previous reporting period, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, if any, on its anti-trafficking capacity; therefore Togo remained on Tier 2. Togolese authorities identified, referred, and assisted more trafficking victims, launched a new awareness raising campaign, and, in partnership with international organizations, trained more officials on combatting trafficking. However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas. The government did not update its national action plan (NAP) for the fifteenth consecutive year and the National Commission Against Trafficking in Persons (CNLTP) lacked the budget and staff necessary to be fully operational in leading national anti-trafficking efforts. The government prosecuted and convicted fewer defendants. Availability of shelter for adults remained especially limited and adversely impacted efforts to investigate cases involving potential adult trafficking victims.

Prioritized Recommendations

Allow courts outside of the Assize Court system to hear trafficking cases to expedite adjudication of pending and future cases.

Train law enforcement, justice sector personnel, and community-based protection organizations on the SOPs on victim identification and referral to care, including the updated procedures to identify victims among vulnerable populations.

Draft, resource, and implement an updated NAP that incorporates adult victims and increases coordination with NGOs, neighboring countries, and regional organizations.

Increase efforts to investigate and prosecute alleged traffickers, and seek adequate penalties for convicted traffickers, which should involve significant prison terms.

Provide training and institutional support to law enforcement and judicial officials to increase their ability to effectively investigate and prosecute trafficking cases.

Designate focal points within the Ministry of Interior and Gendarmerie to coordinate and lead anti-trafficking law enforcement efforts.

Implement a systemic victim-witness assistance program to increase protective services for victims participating in the criminal justice system.

Partner with NGOs and international organizations to increase the accessibility to shelter and provision of services to all trafficking victims.

Develop a data collection and information management system to organize law enforcement and victim referral data, in collaboration with NGOs and international organizations.

Given significant concerns about forced labor indicators in Cuban international work programs, screen Cuban overseas workers, including medical professionals, and refer trafficking victims to appropriate services.