Commission Nationale des Droits de l'Homme
CNDH
Summary
The Commission Nationale des Droits de l'Homme (CNDH) was established by Loi n°2005-004 of 14 September 2005 as Togo's Paris Principles-compliant National Human Rights Institution. Following Togo's ratification of the OPCAT Optional Protocol in 2010, the CNDH was designated as the OPCAT National Preventive Mechanism (NPM), giving it explicit mandate to visit — without prior notice — all places of deprivation of liberty, including police and gendarmerie lock-ups, pre-trial detention centres, and prisons. The CNDH receives individual complaints, monitors conditions of detention, investigates human-rights violations, and formulates advisory recommendations. It cannot impose discipline on law-enforcement personnel; findings are reported to the President, National Assembly, and UN treaty bodies. Membership is pluralist and civilian-dominated.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Mixed (multi-branch) |
|---|---|
| Term length | 5 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | No |
| Records access | Restricted |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Loi n°2005-004 du 14 septembre 2005 portant création de la Commission Nationale des Droits de l'Homme
- Citation
- Loi n°2005-004 (14 September 2005)
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
National human-rights institution and OPCAT National Preventive Mechanism; monitors human-rights conditions nationwide including in police custody, gendarmerie facilities, prisons, and detention centres; receives complaints; promotes and educates on human rights; reports to the President, National Assembly, and UN treaty bodies.