Human rights in Benin
Encyclopedia
Human rights in Benin are addressed in the Beninese Constitution
. In comparison to other African nations, respect for human rights
in Benin
is generally above average; the US State Department considered that "The government generally respected the human rights of its citizens"
although international observers have noted a lack of detailed statistical data on the enjoyment of human rights. In 2007 the Ibrahim Index of African Governance
ranked Benin 11th of 53 countries for its human rights record. About a third of the population live below the international poverty line of US$
1.25 per day, which poses challenges to the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights. The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has noted numerous concerns related to chronic malnutrition
, high unemployment and frequent abuse of children often associated with poverty.
The death penalty has been abolished in practise and the 2009 report of the Universal Periodic Review Working group recommend that Benin ratify the second optional prop International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
to abolish it in law. Amnesty International
's 2009 annual report noted that prison conditions in Benin fall short of international standards, with severe overcrowding.
Constitution of Benin
The Constitution of Benin was adopted by referendum on 2 December 1990.-External links:** from the listing of "International Humanitarian Law - National Implementation" from the International Committee of the Red Cross...
. In comparison to other African nations, respect for human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
in Benin
Benin
Benin , officially the Republic of Benin, is a country in West Africa. It borders Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. Its small southern coastline on the Bight of Benin is where a majority of the population is located...
is generally above average; the US State Department considered that "The government generally respected the human rights of its citizens"
although international observers have noted a lack of detailed statistical data on the enjoyment of human rights. In 2007 the Ibrahim Index of African Governance
Ibrahim Index of African Governance
The Ibrahim Index of African Governance is an attempt to statistically monitor African governance levels throughout all the countries of Africa. Funded and led by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, it uses a number of different indicators to compile an overall ranking of countries, which is designed to be...
ranked Benin 11th of 53 countries for its human rights record. About a third of the population live below the international poverty line of US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
1.25 per day, which poses challenges to the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights. The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has noted numerous concerns related to chronic malnutrition
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is the condition that results from taking an unbalanced diet in which certain nutrients are lacking, in excess , or in the wrong proportions....
, high unemployment and frequent abuse of children often associated with poverty.
The death penalty has been abolished in practise and the 2009 report of the Universal Periodic Review Working group recommend that Benin ratify the second optional prop International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights is a multilateral treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 16, 1966, and in force from March 23, 1976...
to abolish it in law. Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
's 2009 annual report noted that prison conditions in Benin fall short of international standards, with severe overcrowding.