EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: AFR 57/04/94

Distr: UA/SC

UA 326/94 "Disappearance", Fear of Extrajudicial Killing7 September 1994

TOGO David BRUCE, civil servant, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Amnesty International is gravely concerned about the "disappearance" of David Bruce, a civil servant, on 6 September 1994 in Lomé, the capital of Togo. His current whereabouts are unknown and Amnesty International fears that he has been arbitrarily arrested and may be at risk of extrajudicial execution.

According to reports, David Bruce was stopped in his car in the Aguényivé suburb of capital, Lomé, by three men travelling in a mini-bus. The assailants, one of whom was armed with a machine-gun, forced David Bruce to accompany them. The mini-bus was apparently followed by two military vehicles. The assailants told a passenger who was travelling with David Bruce, but who was not abducted, that David Bruce would be taken to the Gendarmerie headquarters. However, subsequent inquiries did not provide confirmation that he had been taken to the Gendarmerie. Amnesty International believes that his abductors may have been working in collusion with members of the Togolese Armed Forces.

It appears that David Bruce may have been targeted because of his activities during the political transition period in Togo. Between 1991 and 1993 he was a senior advisor to the President of the High Council of the Republic, (HCR) Haut Conseil de la République. This provisional body was set up to govern the country following the National Conference in 1991 in the run-up to presidential and legislative elections which took place in August 1993 and February 1994 respectively. Many political activists, including those involved with the transitional government, have been the victim of harassment, intimidation, assassination and attempted assassination at the hands the Togolese Armed Forces, whose lack of impartiality and their explicit support for President Eyadéma and his party, the Assembly of the Togolese People, Rassemblement du peuple togolais (RPT), were repeatedly demonstrated during the transition period.

Amnesty International is appealing to the Togolese authorities to carry out an immediate investigation into the "disappearance" of David Bruce, in order to establish his whereabouts and the identity of those responsible for his abduction.

Amnesty International also urges the Togolese authorities to urgently demonstrate their total opposition to illegal detention and extrajudicial execution; the government should make it clear to all members of the police, military and other security forces that such human rights violations will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A new government is in power in Togo following the country's first ever multi-party elections in February 1994. Since the new government came to power, insecurity in Lomé has continued and recent information suggests that political activists are still being harassed and intimidated by members of the Togolese Armed Forces or by armed groups and individuals who are believed to be working in collusion with the Togolese Armed Forces.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters either in French, English or in your own language:

- expressing concern about the "disappearance" on 6 September of David Bruce, a civil servant at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who was abducted at gun-point by unidentified assailants, believed to be working in collusion with members of the Togolese Armed Forces;

- stating Amnesty International's fears that David Bruce has been arbitrarily arrested and may be at risk of extrajudicial execution;

- urging the Togolese authorities to carry out an immediate investigation into the "disappearance" of David Bruce, in order to establish his whereabouts and the identity of those responsible for his abduction;

- calling on the Togolese authorities to urgently demonstrate their total opposition to illegal detention and extrajudicial execution by the security forces and its commitment to bring those responsible for such acts to justice.

APPEALS TO

President:

Son Excellence Monsieur le Général Gnassingbé Eyadéma

Président de la République

Avenue de la Marina

Lomé, Togo

Telegrams: Président de la République, Lomé, Togo

Faxes: + 228 21 18 97; + 228 21 32 04

Telexes: 5319, 5419, 5201 TMS THG

Salutation: Monsieur le Président / Dear President

Prime Minister

Monsieur Edem Kodjo

Premier ministre

La Primature

Lomé, Togo

Telegrams: Premier ministre, Lomé, Togo

Faxes: + 228 21 20 40; + 228 21 08 50

Salutation: Monsieur le Premier ministre / Dear Prime Minister

Secretary of State responsible for security

Monsieur le Colonel Seyi MEMENE

Secrétaire d'Etat auprès du ministre de l'intérieur

Ministère de l'intérieur

Lomé

Togo

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

Minister of Foreign Affairs:

Monsieur Boumbera Alassounouma

Ministre des Affaires étrangères et

de la coopération

Ministère des Affaires étrangères et

de la coopération

Place du Monument aux morts

Lomé, Togo

Minister for Human Rights

Maître Djovi Gally

Ministre des droits de l'homme,

Ministère des droits de l'homme

Lomé, Togo

and to diplomatic representatives of Togo accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 19 October 1994.