SECTOR 1 which, according to some, criminalizes the work of journalists, in contravention of the provisions set forth in the Press and Communications Code, which do not impose prison sentences for mendacious reports. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 3.7 (2013 = 3.2; 2010 = n/a) 1.4 The government makes every effort to honour regional and international instruments on freedom of expression and freedom of the media. The genuine efforts made by the Togolese Government, show that it honours regional and international instruments on freedom of expression and media freedom. Even if ratification is generally a slow process, the Government systematically ratifies all treaties. A panel member, speaking of this tardiness, explains that a ten-year period elapsed between the signature of the Protocol to the Convention against Torture, and its ratification. In any case, according to the panel, the first duty of the State is to ensure that signed treaties comply with the Constitution of their country. Moreover, the State participates in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanisms for which reports are published. It should be noted that Togo ratified the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) on the 5th of November 1982. 72 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER togo 2017