Togo’s Human Rights Commission and the Penal Chain have reignited national debate on the persistent issue of pretrial detention.

At a weekend forum in Lomé, officials and legal experts examined the impact of prolonged detention without trial, particularly in overcrowded prisons.

The event followed the recent commemoration of African Pretrial Detention Day, marked annually on April 25.

Stakeholders are calling for urgent legal reforms to protect detainees’ rights and reduce judicial delays.