Free Pascal Bodjona

While sending out your Christmas or New Year’s cards this year, consider making one out to the Togo Embassy or the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to tell them about the unjust imprisonment of Unificationist Pascal Bodjona.

Pascal Bodjona is a citizen of Togo and served as Ambassador to the United States from 1998-2005. Kate Tsubata, a Unificationist who knows Mr. Bodjona and his family personally through her work as an HIV/AIDS educator and filmmaker, has taken up the cause of spreading his story and rallying others to lend their voice in support of his release.

On the Free Pascal Bojona Facebook page she writes:

“Pascal Bodjona has worked for his nation, Togo, and for peace and good governance through his diplomatic and ministerial career. Falsely imprisoned in 2012, he has spent most of the last three years behind bars despite never being charged, having no trial, no evidence and no due process. Amnesty International, ECOWAS Court of Justice and other human rights agencies have called for his release, to no avail. We are asking good people around the world to spread his story and call on Togo to release this honorable man.”

Despite calls from human rights agencies, Mr. Bojona is still being held without due process. In a letter asking for support, Kate describes the immense toll not just on Pascal but also his family.

“The reason I am writing to you is that the family of Pascal is in despair, having lost hope because all the many legal efforts that have been tried have been ignored.  Pascal’s physical safety is at risk, but also (and I have to say, knowing him, this is even more important) his honor and reputation have been falsely attacked.”

With the help of the international Unificationist community, Kate hopes to bring justice for a man who has worked his entire career for the sake of his nation as a staunch critic of corruption and an advocate for peace.

Here’s how you can help:

Below is a sample letter that can be sent to the Togo Embassy:

To the Ambassador or Consul General of the Republic of Togo

Your Excellency,

I am writing to add my voice to the international call for the release of Pascal Bodjona from unlawful detention in Togo, in compliance with the ruling of ECOWAS Court of Justice, and also, in the interests of upholding Togo’s standing among the community of nations honoring human rights.  I call for the President, Mr. Faure Gnassingbe, to instruct the branches of the government to uphold the highest standards of good governance, and to protect a decent man and a true son of his country.  Please convey to your government the strong request of myself and those I represent to secure the liberty and the safety of Mr. Bodjona. 

Thank you,

(Your name)

(Your nationality, address, contact information)

Visit the embassy’s website to find the contact info for the Togo Embassy in your country.

You can also send letters to:

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Palais Wilson

52 rue des Pâquis

CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland.

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Palais des Nations

CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland

For more information and an overview of the situation, read Kate’s letter that details Pascal’s accomplishments, and what led up to his imprisonment.

To share his story and also see up to date information about how the case is progressing, join the Facebook page.

We are so thankful to be able to have a network of brothers and sisters around the world, who are ready to rally around those in need. Thank you for your support.