Arbitrary detention and deteriorating health of human rights defender Foly Satchivi
On 7 July 2025, human rights defender Foly Satchivi was arrested at his home in Bè, Lomé, by masked armed men in civilian clothing. He was initially detained at the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) before being transferred five days later to the civil prison in Lomé. The charges against him include “spreading false news,” “disturbing public order,” and “inciting revolt.” Despite being in detention for several weeks, he has not been brought before a judge and remains in pre-trial detention without a clear legal basis.
Foly Satchivi is the leader and spokesperson of En Aucun Cas (Under No Circumstances), a human rights movement which works to raise awareness on human rights issues in Togo, especially in rural areas, and achieve peaceful socio-political transformation in the country through means such as non-violent protests.
Front Line Defenders is gravely concerned about the deteriorating health and continued arbitrary detention of human rights defender Foly Satchivi at Lomé Civil Prison.
Foly Satchivi remains in pre-trial detention without having been brought before a judge. His request for provisional release was denied on the grounds of procedural delays, and he has faced serious obstacles in securing effective legal representation.
Since his transfer on 11 July 2025, he has been held in extremely overcrowded and degrading conditions. He shares a cell of 2.5m by 3m with 10 other detainees, where prisoners are forced to sleep in alternating head-to-toe positions on cut pieces of foam measuring only 30cm in width. Sanitation facilities are grossly inadequate: detainees are locked in cells from 5pm to 6am with only plastic buckets to use as toilets and must pay daily fees for access to showers, toilets, or visits. Families must cover the costs of bringing food, as the prison provides only one inedible meal per day.
Despite suffering from a chronic gastric ulcer and respiratory problems, the human rights defender has been denied his prescribed medication and has not received a medical examination since his arrest. His health worsened significantly after being held for three days in police custody without food or water and following a six-day hunger strike in late July. He continues to be deprived of appropriate treatment.
The prison, designed to hold 600 people, currently detains over 2,700. Only one nurse is available for the entire prison population, with little more than paracetamol provided.
Front Line Defenders is seriously concerned that the detention of Foly Satchivi is intended to punish him for his peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression and assembly, and calls for his immediate and unconditional release, as well as urgent access to adequate medical care.
On 7 July 2025, human rights defender Foly Satchivi was arrested at his home in Bè, Lomé, by masked armed men in civilian clothing. He was initially detained at the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCPJ) before being transferred five days later to the civil prison in Lomé. The charges against him include “spreading false news,” “disturbing public order,” and “inciting revolt.” Despite being in detention for several weeks, he has not been brought before a judge and remains in pre-trial detention without a clear legal basis.
Foly Satchivi is the leader and spokesperson of En Aucun Cas (Under No Circumstances), a human rights movement which works to raise awareness on human rights issues in Togo, especially in rural areas, and achieve peaceful socio-political transformation in the country through means such as non-violent protests.
After posting these videos, the human rights defender was subjected to an escalating series of anonymous threats, particularly between 22 June and early July, including smear campaigns and messages inciting violence against him on social media and by telephone.
Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned by the arbitrary detention of Foly Satchivi and the judicial harassment he is facing, which it believes are solely in retaliation for his peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
