Country detail - yourHRC.org

Benin

Regional group:

African Group (AG)

Council member:

2006-2007

2007-2008

2008-2009

2009-2010

2010-2011

2011-2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Council Bureau membership:	–
Coordinator of regional group:	–
Voluntary financial contribution to OHCHR (2023) :

Other HRC positions:	–
OHCHR presence:	– No field presence
NHRI accreditation status:	A and C

National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up (NMIRF): Unknown

Engagement with the HRC

Principal sponsorship of HRC resolutions

The question of the death penalty.

Voting record

Since it first became a member of the Council in 2011, Benin has either joined consensus on or voted in favour of nearly all resolutions tabled under item 4 (situations that require the Council’s attention), and country-specific resolutions under item 2. The exceptions are two item 4 resolutions on the situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran (Benin abstained). For item 7 resolutions (human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories), Benin consistently votes in favour. On item 10 resolutions (capacity-building), Benin has joined consensus on all resolutions except one that was voted on during the period of its membership: on cooperation with Ukraine (Benin voted in favour). For thematic resolutions dealing with civil and political rights, Benin has generally joined consensus. Where there has been a vote, Benin has nearly always voted in favour. The exceptions to this rule are Benin’s abstentions during 2014 votes on drones and the integrity of the judicial system, and during a 2012 vote on traditional values. Benin did not vote on a 2014 resolution on sexual orientation. For thematic resolutions dealing with economic, social and cultural rights, Benin has either joined consensus on, or has voted in favour of, all adopted texts.

HRC participation

During HRC general discussions, panel debates and interactive dialogues with the Special Procedures, during the past three years, either as an HRC member or not, the State has joined:

262

Regional
group statements

Average of statements for all countries: 78

Subregional
group statements

Average of statements for all countries: 50

134

Political group
statements

Average of statements for all countries: 109

111

Cross-regional
group statements

Average of statements for all countries: 86

Other joint
statements

Average of statements for all countries: 5

HRC member empty chair?

Overall, as a HRC member, has participated in more than 10% of panel discussions, general debates and interactive dialogues.

Cooperation with international human rights system

Special Procedures

Standing invitation

Communications responded to / received

Visits requests status

Completed
Invitation sent by the State not (yet) accepted by the SP
Accepted / date set
Visit request by the SP and not (yet) accepted by the State
Postponed / cancelled

Longest visit request not (yet) accepted by the State >
SR on disability, 2018

Treaty Bodies

Ratified

Reporting Status

Ratification status
Party Not Party
Individual complaint procedure accepted.
Reporting status

Submitted on time
Submitted late
Not applicable

On schedule
Overdue (outstanding)

CAT

ICCPR

CED

CEDAW

CERD

ICESCR

CRC

CRPD

Most overdue report

CAT
6 Months

OP-CAT

Ratified

NPM established

Received Sub-Committee visit

Universal Periodic Review

Reported

(2009, 2012, 2017)

Mid-term report

1st cycle

Level of delegation

Department for Prison Administration and the Protection of Human Rights

Participation in other reviews
1^st cycle: 10 / 45

2^nd cycle: 45 / 192

Cooperation with the UN, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights

Cited in the Secretary General’s reports on 'alleged reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights' (2010-2023)?

YES

Response to allegations from government concerned?
NO

Fulfilment of past voluntary pledges & commitments

Specific voluntary pledges: 10

Benin tabled voluntary pledges and commitments in support of its candidacy for membership for the period 2011-2014 on 13 May 2011.

At national level, Benin made commitments to, inter alia: establish a National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) under the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OP-CAT); implement measures to improve living conditions and promote policies on health, food, clothing, and education; and combat violence against women.

At international level, Benin pledged to, inter alia: follow-up on GA resolutions concerning the international year of human rights learning; and ratify the CRPD, CED and Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR (on the abolition of the death penalty).

An analysis of steps taken by Benin in fulfilment of its pledges made at international level shows that Benin has indeed ratified the CED (2017), CRPD (2012) and the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR (2012). However, Benin has not yet notified the designation of a NPM to the Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture (SPT). Benin joined consensus during voting on GA resolutions concerning the international year of human rights learning.

Benin

African Group (AG)

Engagement with the HRC

Principal sponsorship of HRC resolutions

Voting record

HRC participation

HRC member empty chair?

Cooperation with international human rights system

Special Procedures

Standing invitation

Communications responded to / received

Visits requests status

Treaty Bodies

Ratified

Reporting Status

Universal Periodic Review

Participation in other reviews 1st cycle: 10 / 45

2nd cycle: 45 / 192

Cooperation with the UN, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights

Fulfilment of past voluntary pledges & commitments

Specific voluntary pledges: 10

Participation in other reviews
1^st cycle: 10 / 45

2^nd cycle: 45 / 192