Human Rights in Benin
Human Rights Concerns
As recently as 2010, several demonstrations have been banned in Benin. Prison conditions remained poor due to overcrowding.
Benin is an abolitionist country in practice. According to official records, the last execution was carried out in 1987. Despite the reduction over the years in the number of executions and death sentences, the death penalty is still provided for in the Beninese criminal code. At least five people were sentenced to death in 2010.
Relevant Links
Benin Newsroom
October 20, 2020 • Press Release
Regional human rights bodies struggle to uphold rights amid political headwinds in Africa
For a second consecutive year, Amnesty International has documented how African governments are grossly undermining regional human rights bodies by failing to comply with their decisions, ignoring their urgent appeals, …
April 20, 2020 • Press Release
Protect Detainees at Risk of COVID-19 in Sub-Saharan Africa, Unclog Prisons and Release Prisoners of Conscience
Authorities in Sub-Saharan Africa must take urgent action to protect people in detention from COVID-19, including releasing prisoners of conscience, reviewing cases of pre-trial detention, and guaranteeing access to healthcare and sanitation products in all facilities, Amnesty International said today.
February 22, 2016 • Press Release
Amnesty International’s Annual State of the World Report Slams Governments, Including the U.S., for Global Assault on Freedoms
On the launch of its 2015 State of the World report, Amnesty International USA urged President Obama to use his last year in office to bring U.S. laws and policies in line with international human rights standards.
February 18, 2016 • Press Release
Your rights in jeopardy, global assault on freedoms, warns Amnesty International
International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
February 18, 2016 • Report
Amnesty International State of the World 2015-2016
International protection of human rights is in danger of unravelling as short-term national self-interest and draconian security crackdowns have led to a wholesale assault on basic freedoms and rights, warned Amnesty International as it launched its annual assessment of human rights around the world. “Your rights are in jeopardy: they are being treated with utter contempt by many governments around the world,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
February 25, 2015 • Report
State of the World 2014/2015
This has been a devastating year for those seeking to stand up for human rights and for those caught up in the suffering of war zones. Governments pay lip service to the importance of protecting civilians. And yet the world's politicians have miserably failed to protect those in greatest need. Amnesty International believes that this can and must finally change.
May 16, 2013 • Report
Annual Report: Benin 2013
REPUBLIC OF BENIN Head of state Thomas Boni Yayi Head of government Pascal Koupaki Freedom of expression In September, a private television channel, Canal 3, was interrupted for a few …
March 19, 2011 • Report
Annual Report: Benin 2010
Head of state and government Thomas Boni Yayi Death penalty abolitionist in practice Population 8.9 million Life expectancy 61 years Under-5 mortality (m/f) 123/118 per 1,000 Adult literacy 40.5 per …
