Compensation for Dismissed Teachers and Members of the Armed Forces / FAT Personnel Apologize to the Togolese People

A compensation session was held at the HCRRUN headquarters in Lomé from August 9 to 13, 2021, for teachers dismissed in 2000 following a strike, and from August 17 to 20, 2021, for members of the defence and security forces who were victims of violence in the context of socio-political unrest in Togo between 1958 and 2005.

As with all other victims, these compensation measures aim to express compassion and provide relief to teachers who were dismissed following a strike and subsequently reinstated seven (7) years later, as well as to members of the Armed Forces, including military personnel and gendarmes, who were victims of socio-political violence. Whether active or retired, the victims were identified based on the events during which they suffered harm.

At the opening of the session, the President of the HCRRUN stated: “Today, we are embarking on a mission to compensate our brothers and relatives in the military who were victims of violence. We do not wish to exclude anyone. Whatever one may say, a soldier is first and foremost a civilian in uniform and a full-fledged Togolese citizen. If the political class, through the Global Political Agreement, resolved to pursue transitional justice and recognize the status of victims, it is inconceivable that a segment of the population should be excluded simply because its members wear uniforms. You are a strictly hierarchical body, and it takes time to clearly establish the facts. Therefore, all those who suffered harm between 1958 and 2005 must report to their respective hierarchy. It is through these channels that we received the lists and information relating to each event associated with the harm you suffered.”

In a statement read on behalf of all the victims by a retired non-commissioned officer, the beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the President of the Republic for this gesture of compassion.

“In every crisis situation, it is often assumed that members of the Armed Forces are perpetrators of violence and commit acts that contribute nothing constructive to the nation. We are deeply touched and moved today by this initiative undertaken by the HCRRUN to compensate us. We had never imagined that such an initiative would be undertaken. Indeed, among us, some suffered physical violence, others saw their property destroyed, while still others lost their lives,” stated the retired non-commissioned officer.

According to the statement, the financial compensation itself is not the most important aspect; rather, it is the recognition of the contribution made by members of the Armed Forces to the pursuit of peace that matters most.

“We wish to express our sincere apologies to the Togolese people and to all those who were victims during our various operations and interventions to maintain public order,” concluded the member of the Togolese Armed Forces (FAT).