The ECOWAS Court condemns the Republic of Togo for arbitrary detention

The Decision of the ECOWAS Court of Justice in Parounam vs Togoconcerns the violations of two important human rights contained in the African Charter on Human and People’s rights and in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) of 1966. The violations in question are the right to freedom from cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and the right to due process concerning arrest and detention.The Court’s decision to condemn the State for arbitrary detention becomes even more relevant in a country where such violations have been frequent and systematic, especially those related to political prosecution. It is important then, for individuals, to have the possibility to bring a matter before an international Court which has the legal means to assure them effective justice where the Statefails to guarantee a full respect for human rights