Source: http://www.deathpenaltyworldwide.org/country-search-archive.cfm?country=Benin
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 04:39:38+00:00

Document:
U.S. Dept. of State, Background Note: Benin, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/6761.htm, Nov. 22, 2010.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 12, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954. Le Matinal, Bénin : le moratoire à l’exécution est-il condamné à mort ?, http://www.sonangnon.net/actualites/2007/fevrier/intlematinal0102_6.php, Feb. 1, 2007.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 12, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954. Amnesty Intl., When the State Kills, p. 108, Amnesty Intl. Publications, 1989. Le Matinal, Bénin : le moratoire à l’exécution est-il condamné à mort ?, http://www.sonangnon.net/actualites/2007/fevrier/intlematinal0102_6.php, Feb. 1, 2007.
1987. A majority of reliable sources indicate that the last execution in Benin took place in 1987, when two persons were shot after receiving death sentences for ritual murder.  Two organizations state that the last execution took place in 1993,  but we believe this is the result of some confusion over the 7 death sentences that were pronounced in absentia that year for armed robbery,  but were not executed.
 Constitution of the Republic of Benin, art. 1, Law No. 90-32, Dec. 11, 1990.
 U.S. Dept. of State, Background Note: Benin, http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/6761.htm, Nov. 10, 2011.
 Amnesty Intl., Death Penalty: Countries Abolitionist in Practice, http://www.amnesty.org/en/death-penalty/countries-abolitionist-in-practice, last accessed Feb. 1, 2012. Amnesty Intl., West Africa: Time to abolish the death penalty, p. 5, AFR 05/003/2003, Oct. 8, 2003. Amnesty Intl., Benin, Amnesty International Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review, p. 1, AFR 14/001/2008, Feb. 7, 2008. Roger Hood & Carolyn Hoyle, The Death Penalty: A Worldwide Perspective, p. 410, Oxford University Press, 4th ed., 2008. La Peine de Mort dans le Monde, La peine de mort – Bénin, http://www.peinedemort.org/National/pays.php?pays=162, last accessed Feb. 1, 2012. U.N. ECOSOC, Capital punishment and implementation of the safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty, Report of the Secretary-General, p. 64, U.N. Doc. E/2010/10, Dec. 18, 2009. Joseph Djogbenou, Bénin : Le secteur de la justice et l’Etat de droit : Une étude d’AfriMAP et de l’Open Society Initiative for West Africa, p. 89, Open Society Initiative for West Africa, http://www.afrimap.org/report.php#Benin, 2010. Amnesty Intl., Benin closer to abolishing the death penalty, http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/benin-closer-abolishing-death-penalty-2011-08-19, Aug. 19, 2011.
 Caroline Sculier, Towards a Universal Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty, Strategies, Arguments and Perspectives, World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, p. 10, http://www.fiacat.org/IMG/pdf/WCADP-MoratoriumReport2010-en-1.pdf, Feb. 2010. Ensemble Contre la Peine de Mort, La peine de mort : Benin, http://www.abolition.fr/ecpm/french/fiche-pays.php?pays=BEN, last accessed Feb. 1, 2012.
 La Peine de Mort dans le Monde, La peine de mort – Bénin, http://www.peinedemort.org/National/pays.php?pays=162, last accessed Feb. 1, 2012.
Terrorist acts are punishable by death.  We were unable to determine whether or not they must result in death in order to be death-eligible.
Armed robbery  is punishable by death.
Arson (or destruction using explosive devices) committed on inhabited buildings or on vehicles with people on board,  and arson (or destruction using explosive devices) of State-owned goods  are punishable by death.
- Poisoning (even where it does not result in death);  sorcery, magic and other similar practices which cause public order disturbances or lead to the permanent injury of the victim;  assaulting a judge or civil servant on duty with intent to kill;  committing torture or barbaric acts in order to commit a felony  or torturing a sequestered person;  committing perjury leading to a death sentence;  and attempting a death-eligible crime  are punishable by death.
Benin is party to the ICCPR  and to the Convention on the Rights of the Child,  which prohibit the execution of individuals for crimes committed while under the age of 18.
Benin is party to the ICCPR,  and the Protocol on the Rights of Women attached to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights,  which prohibit the execution of pregnant women.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 302, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, arts. 302, 312, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Le Matinal, Bénin : le moratoire à l’exécution est-il condamné à mort ?, http://www.sonangnon.net/actualites/2007/fevrier/intlematinal0102_6.php, Feb. 1, 2007.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 304, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Amnesty Intl., When the State Kills, p. 108, Amnesty Intl. Publications, 1989.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 355, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, arts. 434, 435, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 437, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 316, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 U.N. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Committee Against Torture, Written replies from the Government of Benin to the list of issues (CAT/C/BEN/Q/2) to be considered during the examination of the second periodic report of Benin (CAT/C/BEN/2), p. 5, para. 27, U.N. Doc. CAT/C/BEN/Q/2/Add.1, Sep. 17, 2007.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 381, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 95, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 U.S. Dept. of State, 2009 Human Rights Report: Benin, http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2009/af/135938.htm, Mar. 11, 2010.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, arts. 75, 76, 91, 92, 93, 94, 96, 125, 123, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 77, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Le Matinal, Bénin : le moratoire à l’exécution est-il condamné à mort ?, http://www.sonangnon.net/actualites/2007/fevrier/intlematinal0102_6.php, Feb. 1, 2007.Amnesty Intl., When the State Kills, p. 108, Amnesty Intl. Publications, 1989.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 233, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 303, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 344, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 361, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 2, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 182, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 56, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Joseph Djogbenou, Bénin : Le secteur de la justice et l’Etat de droit : Une étude d’AfriMAP et de l’Open Society Initiative for West Africa, pp. 22, 71, n. 198, Open Society Initiative for West Africa, http://www.afrimap.org/report.php#Benin, 2010.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Joseph Djogbenou, Bénin : Le secteur de la justice et l’Etat de droit : Une étude d’AfriMAP et de l’Open Society Initiative for West Africa, p. 22, Open Society Initiative for West Africa, http://www.afrimap.org/report.php#Benin, 2010.
 Joseph Djogbenou, Bénin : Le secteur de la justice et l’Etat de droit : Une étude d’AfriMAP et de l’Open Society Initiative for West Africa, p. 8, Open Society Initiative for West Africa, http://www.afrimap.org/report.php#Benin, 2010.
 Joseph Djogbenou, Bénin : Le secteur de la justice et l’Etat de droit : Une étude d’AfriMAP et de l’Open Society Initiative for West Africa, p. 26, Open Society Initiative for West Africa, http://www.afrimap.org/report.php#Benin, 2010.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 463, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Amnesty Intl., Death Penalty: Countries Abolitionist in Practice, http://www.amnesty.org/en/death-penalty/countries-abolitionist-in-practice, last accessed Feb. 1, 2012. Amnesty Intl., West Africa: Time to abolish the death penalty, p. 5, AFR 05/003/2003, Oct. 8, 2003. Amnesty Intl., Benin, Amnesty International Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review, p. 1, AFR 14/001/2008, Feb. 7, 2008. Roger Hood & Carolyn Hoyle, The Death Penalty: A Worldwide Perspective, p. 410, Oxford University Press, 4th ed., 2008. La Peine de Mort dans le Monde, La peine de mort – Bénin, http://www.peinedemort.org/National/pays.php?pays=162, last accessed Feb. 1, 2012. U.N. ECOSOC, Capital punishment and implementation of the safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty, Report of the Secretary-General, p. 64, U.N. Doc. E/2010/10, Dec. 18, 2009. Joseph Djogbenou, Bénin : Le secteur de la justice et l’Etat de droit : Une étude d’AfriMAP et de l’Open Society Initiative for West Africa, p. 89, Open Society Initiative for West Africa, http://www.afrimap.org/report.php#Benin, 2010.
 U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child Committee on the Rights of the Child, Consideration Of Reports Submitted By States Parties Under Article 44 Of The Convention, Concluding observations: Benin, p. 22, para. 75, U.N. Doc. CRC/C/BEN/CO/2, Oct. 20, 2006.
 Ordinance on the trial of offences committed by minors under the age of 18, art. 2(2), Ordinance No. 69-23 PR/MJL, 10 July 1969, as cited in U.N. ICCPR Human Rights Committee, Consideration Of Reports Submitted By States Parties Under Article 40 Of The Covenant, Benin, p. 12, paras. 28-29, U.N. Doc. CCPR/C/BEN/2004/1/Add.1, Aug. 17, 2004.
 Status, Declarations, and Reservations, ICCPR, 999 U.N.T.S. 171, Dec. 16, 1966, http://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-4&chapter=4&lang=en, last accessed Feb. 1, 2012.
 Status, Declarations, and Reservations, Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1577 U.N.T.S. 3, http://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=UNTSONLINE&tabid=2&mtdsg_no=IV-11&chapter=4〈=en#Participants, last accessed Feb. 1, 2012.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 27, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 A.U., Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on the Rights of Women In Africa, art. 4.2.j), http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/Documents/Treaties/Text/Protocol%20on%20the%20Rights%20of%20Women.pdf, Jul. 11, 2003.
 A.U., African Charter On The Rights And Welfare Of The Child, art. 30(e), A.U. Doc. CAB/LEG/24.9/49, Jul. 11, 1990.
 Penal Code, known as Code Bouvenet, art. 64, Decree of May 6, 1877, as amended through 1954.
 Status, Declarations, and Reservations, Optional Prot. to the ICCPR, 999 U.N.T.S. 171, Dec. 16, 1966, http://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-5&chapter=4&lang=en, last accessed Feb. 1, 2012.
 Status, Declarations, and Reservations, Second Optional Prot. to the ICCPR, Aiming at the Abolition of the Death Penalty, 1642 U.N.T.S. 414, Dec. 15, 1989, http://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-12&chapter=4&lang=en, last accessed Jul. 10, 2012.
 U.N.G.A., 71st Session, Recorded Vote on A/C.3/71/L.27 Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty, Nov. 17, 2016.
Finally, on August 18, 2011, the National Assembly of Benin voted overwhelmingly in favor of ratifying the Second Optional Protocol.  (There were 54 votes in favor, 5 against and 6 abstentions).  The vote demonstrates a broad political consensus on abolition.
Yes. On July 5, 2012, Benin acceded to the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.  As a party to the treaty, Benin commits to no longer carrying out executions, and to take all necessary measures to abolish the death penalty.
The case law of the Constitutional Court is published in a dedicated law reporter, the Recueil des décisions et avis de la cour constitutionnelle.  Judicial decisions are also available on the Court’s website: http://www.cour-constitutionnelle-benin.org/. Legislation and selected judicial decisions are published in an official gazette, the Journal Officiel de la République du Bénin.  At the time of research, however, the Journal Officiel was not accessible online.
A person sentenced to death has 72 hours after the sentence is rendered to file for clemency.  Pleas for clemency are first studied by the Superior Council of Magistrates, which then transfers the file together with its reasoned opinion to the President.  The President makes the final decision, and may take as long as he chooses to decide whether or not to grant a pardon.  If clemency is granted, the death penalty is commuted to forced labor for life.  It is traditional for a presidential amnesty decree to be published every year on August 1, the anniversary of Benin’s independence.  We were unable to find out, however, whether death sentences are included in these annual pardons.
In the last 10 years or so, the Constitutional Court has extended its jurisdiction on its own initiative and has decided it is competent to control the constitutionality of decisions rendered not just by administrative and constitutional courts, but by all other courts as well, including the Supreme Court, if there is a human rights violation. This extension of jurisdiction is reported to be controversial and is the subject of a bill before parliament.  We were not able to ascertain the consequences of an unconstitutionality decision rendered by the Constitutional Court under this power.
 Constitution of the Republic of Benin, art. 8, Law No. 90-32, Dec. 11, 1990.
 Constitution of the Republic of Benin, art. 15, Law No. 90-32, Dec. 11, 1990.
 Constitution of the Republic of Benin, Preamble, art. 7, Law No. 90-32, Dec. 11, 1990.
 Adrien Kolle Bamigbade, DCC 99-051, Constitutional Court of Benin, 1999.
 Constitution of the Republic of Benin, art. 7, Law No. 90-32, Dec. 11, 1990.
 Constitution of the Republic of Benin, Preamble, Law No. 90-32, Dec. 11, 1990.
 Constitution of the Republic of Benin, art. 147, Law No. 90-32, Dec. 11, 1990.
 Status, Declarations, and Reservations, Second Optional Prot. to the ICCPR, Aiming at the Abolition of the Death Penalty, 1642 U.N.T.S. 414, Dec. 15, 1989, http://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-12&chapter=4&lang=en, last accessed Feb. 1, 2012Jul. 10, 2012.
 Cour constitutionnelle of Benin, Decision No. DCC 12-153, Aug. 4, 2012. FIACAT, Bénin: La cour constitutionnelle rejette les dispositions du Code de procédure pénale qui font référence à la peine de mort, http://www.fiacat.org/benin-la-cour-constitutionnelle-rejette-les-dispositions-du-code-de-procedure-penale-qui-font-reference-a-la-peine-de-mort, Sep. 20, 2012.
 U.N.G.A. Human Rights Council, National Report Submitted In Accordance With Paragraph 15(A) Of The Annex To Human Rights Council Resolution 5/1, Benin, p. 12, paras. 46-47, U.N. Doc. A/HRC/WG.6/2/BEN/1, Apr. 9, 2008.
 Amnesty Intl., Death Sentences and Executions in 2009, p. 23, ACT 50/001/2010, Mar. 30, 2010.
 World Coaliation Against the Death Penalty, Le Bénin en marche vers l’abolition, http://www.worldcoalition.org/fr/Benin-on-track-to-achieve-abolition.html, Feb. 7, 2010.
 Guillaume Colin, Soon-to-be abolitionist Benin hosts forum on death penalty in Africa, World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, http://www.ipsnews.net/deathpenaltyabolition/may2010-ngo.asp, Apr. 24, 2010.
 U.N.G.A., 62nd Session, Promotion and Protection of Human Rights: human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, U.N. Doc. A/62/439/Add.2, Dec. 5, 2007.U.N.G.A., 62nd Session, 76th Plenary Meeting, pp. 16- 17, U.N. Doc. A/62/PV.76, Dec. 18, 2007.
 U.N.G.A., 63rd session, Promotion and Protection of Human Rights: human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, U.N. Doc. A/63/430/Add.2, Dec. 4, 2008. U.N.G.A., 63rd Session, 70th Plenary Meeting, pp. 16- 17, U.N. Doc. A/63/PV.70, Dec. 18, 2008.
 Amnesty Intl., Benin closer to abolishing the death penalty, http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/benin-closer-abolishing-death-penalty-2011-08-19, Aug. 19, 2011.
 Emile Carreau, Benin votes overwhelmingly to join abolitionist ranks, http://www.worldcoalition.org/Benin-votes-overwhelmingly-to-join-abolitionist-ranks.html, Sep. 5, 2011.
 Amnesty Intl., Death Penalty: Countries Abolitionist in Practice, http://www.amnesty.org/en/death-penalty/countries-abolitionist-in-practice, last accessed Feb. 1, 2012. Amnesty Intl., West Africa: Time to abolish the death penalty, p. 5, AFR 05/003/2003, Oct. 8, 2003. Amnesty Intl., Benin, Amnesty International Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review, p. 1, AFR 14/001/2008, Feb. 7, 2008. Roger Hood & Carolyn Hoyle, The Death Penalty: A Worldwide Perspective, p. 410, Oxford University Press, 4th ed., 2008. La Peine de Mort dans le Monde, La peine de mort – Bénin, http://www.peinedemort.org/National/pays.php?pays=162, last accessed Feb. 1, 2012. U.N. ECOSOC, Capital punishment and implementation of the safeguards guaranteeing protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty, Report of the Secretary-General, p. 64, U.N. Doc. E/2010/10, Dec. 18, 2009.
 Le Matinal, La peine de mort maintenue au Bénin, http://avod.free.fr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=119&Itemid=38, May 29, 2006.
 U.N.G.A. Human Rights Council, Universal Periodic Review, Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, Benin, p. 14, para. 54, U.N. Doc. A/HRC/8/39, May 28, 2008.
 Ahonagnon Noel Gbaguidi & William Kodjoh-Kpakpassou, Introduction au Système Juridique et Judiciaire du Bénin, GlobaLex, http://www.nyulawglobal.com/globalex/BENIN.htm, Mar.-Apr., 2009.
 Constitution of the Republic of Benin, art. 130, Law No. 90-32, Dec. 11, 1990.
 Constitution of the Republic of Benin, arts. 60, 130, Law No. 90-32, Dec. 11, 1990. Le Matinal, Bénin : le moratoire à l’exécution est-il condamné à mort ?, http://www.sonangnon.net/actualites/2007/fevrier/intlematinal0102_6.php, Feb. 1, 2007.
 Joseph Djogbenou, Bénin : Le secteur de la justice et l’Etat de droit : Une étude d’AfriMAP et de l’Open Society Initiative for West Africa, p. 36, Open Society Initiative for West Africa, http://www.afrimap.org/report.php#Benin, 2010.
 Bertin C. Amoussou, Procédure Pénale, p. 89, Collection “Tête Fertile”, 2004. Ahonagnon Noel Gbaguidi & William Kodjoh-Kpakpassou, Introduction au Système Juridique et Judiciaire du Bénin, GlobaLex, http://www.nyulawglobal.com/globalex/BENIN.htm, Mar.-Apr., 2009.
 Ordinance on the Composition, Organization, Operation and Attributions of the Supreme Court, art. 34, No. 21/PR, Apr. 26, 1966.
 Ordinance on the Composition, Organization, Operation and Attributions of the Supreme Court, art. 95, No. 21/PR, Apr. 26, 1966.
 Ordinance on the Composition, Organization, Operation and Attributions of the Supreme Court, art. 83, No. 21/PR, Apr. 26, 1966. Edwige Boussari, Rôle du juge de cassation dans l’interprétation et l’application des conventions internationales relatives aux droits fondamentaux, Ahjucaf, http://www.ahjucaf.org/spip.php?article38, May 17, 2004. Ahonagnon Noel Gbaguidi & William Kodjoh-Kpakpassou, Introduction au Système Juridique et Judiciaire du Bénin, GlobaLex, http://www.nyulawglobal.com/globalex/BENIN.htm, Mar.-Apr., 2009.
 Ordinance on the Composition, Organization, Operation and Attributions of the Supreme Court, art. 35, No. 21/PR, Apr. 26, 1966.
 Ordinance on the Composition, Organization, Operation and Attributions of the Supreme Court, art. 97, No. 21/PR, Apr. 26, 1966.
 Ordinance on the Composition, Organization, Operation and Attributions of the Supreme Court, art. 101, No. 21/PR, Apr. 26, 1966.
 Ordinance on the Composition, Organization, Operation and Attributions of the Supreme Court, art. 102, No. 21/PR, Apr. 26, 1966.
By the conclusion of our research, we did not find any information on the racial/ethnic composition of death row.
 U.S. Dept. of State, 2010 Human Rights Report: Benin, http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/af/154331.htm, Apr. 8, 2011. U.N. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Committee Against Torture, Consideration Of Reports Submitted By States Parties Under Article 19 Of The Convention, Conclusions And Recommendations Of The Committee Against Torture, Benin, p. 6, para. 19, U.N. Doc. CAT/C/BEN/CO/2, Feb. 19, 2008.
 Joseph H. Gnonlonfoun, La condition pénitentiaire au Bénin: Rapport de mission au Médiateur de la République, pp. 13-14, http://www.mediateur.gouv.bj/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=17&dir=DESC∨der=date&Itemid=35&limit=5&limitstart=10, Jul. 6, 2010.
 Joseph H. Gnonlonfoun, La condition pénitentiaire au Bénin: Rapport de mission au Médiateur de la République, p. 14, http://www.mediateur.gouv.bj/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=17&dir=DESC∨der=date&Itemid=35&limit=5&limitstart=10, Jul. 6, 2010.
 Joseph H. Gnonlonfoun, La condition pénitentiaire au Bénin: Rapport de mission au Médiateur de la République, pp. 13-14, http://www.mediateur.gouv.bj/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=17&dir=DESC&order=date&Itemid=35&limit=5&limitstart=10, Jul. 6, 2010.
 U.N. Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Report on the Visit of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to Benin, p. 53, U.N. Doc. CAT/OP/BEN/1, Mar. 15, 2011.
 U.N. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Committee Against Torture, Consideration Of Reports Submitted By States Parties Under Article 19 Of The Convention, Conclusions And Recommendations Of The Committee Against Torture, Benin, p. 6, para. 19, U.N. Doc. CAT/C/BEN/CO/2, Feb. 19, 2008.
 U.N. Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Replies of the Republic of Benin to the recommendations and requests for information made by the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in its report on its first periodic visit to Benin, p. 12, U.N. Doc. CAT/OP/BEN/1/Add.1, Mar. 28, 2011.
 Amnesty Intl., Benin – Amnesty International Report 2011, http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/benin/report-2011, last accessed Feb. 1, 2012. FIACAT & ACAT, Préoccupations de la FIACAT et de l’ACAT Bénin concernant la torture et les mauvais traitements dans les prisons béninoises, Présentées au Conseil des Droits de l’Homme en vue de l’examen du Bénin dans le cadre de l’Examen Périodique Universel, 2eme session du 5 au 16 mai 2008, pp. 1, 3, http://lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/Session2/BJ/FIACAT_BEN_UPR_S2_2008_InternationalFederationofActionbyChristiansfortheAbolitionofTorture_uprsubmission.pdf, Jan. 25, 2008.
 FIACAT & ACAT, Préoccupations de la FIACAT et de l’ACAT Bénin concernant la torture et les mauvais traitements dans les prisons béninoises, Présentées au Conseil des Droits de l’Homme en vue de l’examen du Bénin dans le cadre de l’Examen Périodique Universel, 2eme session du 5 au 16 mai 2008, p. 4, http://lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/Session2/BJ/FIACAT_BEN_UPR_S2_2008_InternationalFederationofActionbyChristiansfortheAbolitionofTorture_uprsubmission.pdf, Jan. 25, 2008.
 See Joseph H. Gnonlonfoun, La condition pénitentiaire au Bénin: Rapport de mission au Médiateur de la République, p. 14, http://www.mediateur.gouv.bj/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=17&dir=DESC∨der=date&Itemid=35&limit=5&limitstart=10, Jul. 6, 2010.
 Joseph H. Gnonlonfoun, La condition pénitentiaire au Bénin: Rapport de mission au Médiateur de la République, p. 6, http://www.mediateur.gouv.bj/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=17&dir=DESC∨der=date&Itemid=35&limit=5&limitstart=10, Jul. 6, 2010.
 Joseph H. Gnonlonfoun, La condition pénitentiaire au Bénin: Rapport de mission au Médiateur de la République, http://www.mediateur.gouv.bj/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=17&dir=DESC∨der=date&Itemid=35&limit=5&limitstart=10, Jul. 6, 2010.
 Joseph H. Gnonlonfoun, La condition pénitentiaire au Bénin: Rapport de mission au Médiateur de la République, pp. 9, 10, 12, http://www.mediateur.gouv.bj/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=17&dir=DESC∨der=date&Itemid=35&limit=5&limitstart=10, Jul. 6, 2010.
 Joseph H. Gnonlonfoun, La condition pénitentiaire au Bénin: Rapport de mission au Médiateur de la République, p. 17, http://www.mediateur.gouv.bj/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=17&dir=DESC∨der=date&Itemid=35&limit=5&limitstart=10, Jul. 6, 2010.
 Joseph H. Gnonlonfoun, La condition pénitentiaire au Bénin: Rapport de mission au Médiateur de la République, p. 24, http://www.mediateur.gouv.bj/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=17&dir=DESC∨der=date&Itemid=35&limit=5&limitstart=10, Jul. 6, 2010.
 Joseph H. Gnonlonfoun, La condition pénitentiaire au Bénin: Rapport de mission au Médiateur de la République, p. 14, http://www.mediateur.gouv.bj/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=17&dir=DESC&order=date&Itemid=35&limit=5&limitstart=10, Jul. 6, 2010.
 Amnesty Intl., Benin: Death penalty, AFR 14/001/1998, Oct. 8, 1998.
 Joseph Djogbenou, Bénin : Le secteur de la justice et l’Etat de droit : Une étude d’AfriMAP et de l’Open Society Initiative for West Africa, p. 89, n. 302, Open Society Initiative for West Africa, http://www.afrimap.org/report.php#Benin, 2010.
 U.N. ICCPR Human Rights Committee, Consideration Of Reports Submitted By States Parties Under Article 40 Of The Covenant, Concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee, Benin, para. 20, U.N. Doc. CCPR/CO/82/BEN, Dec. 1, 2004.
 Joseph Djogbenou, Bénin : Le secteur de la justice et l’Etat de droit : Une étude d’AfriMAP et de l’Open Society Initiative for West Africa, pp. 65-66, Open Society Initiative for West Africa, http://www.afrimap.org/report.php#Benin, 2010.
 Ordinance on the Composition, Organization, Operation and Attributions of the Supreme Court, art. 42, No. 21/PR, Apr. 26, 1966.
 Joseph Djogbenou, Bénin : Le secteur de la justice et l’Etat de droit : Une étude d’AfriMAP et de l’Open Society Initiative for West Africa, pp. 65-67, Open Society Initiative for West Africa, http://www.afrimap.org/report.php#Benin, 2010.
 U.N.G.A. Human Rights Council, National Report Submitted In Accordance With Paragraph 15(A) Of The Annex To Human Rights Council Resolution 5/1, Benin, p. 16, para. 81, U.N. Doc. A/HRC/WG.6/2/BEN/1, Apr. 9, 2008.
 FIACAT & ACAT, Préoccupations de la FIACAT et de l’ACAT Bénin concernant la torture et les mauvais traitements dans les prisons béninoises, Présentées au Conseil des Droits de l’Homme en vue de l’examen du Bénin dans le cadre de l’Examen Périodique Universel, 2eme session du 5 au 16 mai 2008, p. 3, http://lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/Session2/BJ/FIACAT_BEN_UPR_S2_2008_InternationalFederationofActionbyChristiansfortheAbolitionofTorture_uprsubmission.pdf, Jan. 25, 2008.
 U.S. Dept. of State, 2010 Human Rights Report: Benin, http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2009/af/135938.htm, Apr. 8, 2011.
 U.N. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Committee Against Torture, Consideration Of Reports Submitted By States Parties Under Article 19 Of The Convention, Conclusions And Recommendations Of The Committee Against Torture, Benin, pp. 4-5, para. 13, U.N. Doc. CAT/C/BEN/CO/2, Feb. 19, 2008.
In March 2011, the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture, and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment issued recommendations to Benin following its visit in May 2008.
 U.N. ICCPR Human Rights Committee, Consideration Of Reports Submitted By States Parties Under Article 40 Of The Covenant, Concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee, Benin, para. 13, U.N. Doc. CCPR/CO/82/BEN, Dec. 1, 2004.
 U.N. ICCPR Human Rights Committee, Consideration Of Reports Submitted By States Parties Under Article 40 Of The Covenant, Concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee, Benin, para. 15, U.N. Doc. CCPR/CO/82/BEN, Dec. 1, 2004.
 U.N. ICCPR Human Rights Committee, Consideration Of Reports Submitted By States Parties Under Article 40 Of The Covenant, Concluding observations of the Human Rights Committee, Benin, para. 17, U.N. Doc. CCPR/CO/82/BEN, Dec. 1, 2004.
 U.N. Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Report on the Visit of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to Benin, p. 31, U.N. Doc. CAT/OP/BEN/1, Mar. 15, 2011.
 U.N. Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Report on the Visit of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to Benin, p. 54, U.N. Doc. CAT/OP/BEN/1, Mar. 15, 2011.
 U.N. Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Report on the Visit of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to Benin, p. 39, U.N. Doc. CAT/OP/BEN/1, Mar. 15, 2011.
 U.N. Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Report on the Visit of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to Benin, p. 29, U.N. Doc. CAT/OP/BEN/1, Mar. 15, 2011.
 U.N. Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Report on the Visit of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to Benin, pp. 43-44, U.N. Doc. CAT/OP/BEN/1, Mar. 15, 2011.
 U.N. Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Report on the Visit of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to Benin, p. 50, U.N. Doc. CAT/OP/BEN/1, Mar. 15, 2011.
 U.N. Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Report on the Visit of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to Benin, p. 56, U.N. Doc. CAT/OP/BEN/1, Mar. 15, 2011.
 U.N.G.A. Human Rights Council, Universal Periodic Review, Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, Benin, p. 15, para. 56.7, U.N. Doc. A/HRC/8/39, May 28, 2008.
 U.N.G.A. Human Rights Council, Universal Periodic Review, Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, Benin, p. 15, para. 56.8, U.N. Doc. A/HRC/8/39, May 28, 2008.
 U.N.G.A. Human Rights Council, Universal Periodic Review, Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, Benin, p. 16, para. 56.14, U.N. Doc. A/HRC/8/39, May 28, 2008. See also paras. 56.12-16 regarding torture.
 U.N.G.A. Human Rights Council, Universal Periodic Review, Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, Benin, p. 16, para. 56.17, U.N. Doc. A/HRC/8/39, May 28, 2008.
 U.N.G.A. Human Rights Council, Universal Periodic Review, Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, Benin, p. 16, para. 56.23, U.N. Doc. A/HRC/8/39, May 28, 2008.
Joseph Djogbenou, Bénin : Le secteur de la justice et l’Etat de droit : Une étude d’AfriMAP et de l’Open Society Initiative for West Africa, Open Society Initiative for West Africa, http://www.afrimap.org/report.php#Benin, 2010.
U.N. Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Committee Against Torture, Consideration Of Reports Submitted By States Parties Under Article 19 Of The Convention, Conclusions And Recommendations Of The Committee Against Torture, Benin, U.N. Doc. CAT/C/BEN/CO/2, Feb. 19, 2008.
U.N. Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Report on the Visit of the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment to Benin, U.N. Doc. CAT/OP/BEN/1, Mar. 15, 2011.

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