The submission outlines areas where the country has failed to meet its legal obligations to protect freedom of expression.
(ARTICLE 19/IFEX) – 11 April 2012 – ARTICLE 19 notes that during the first cycle of the UPR in May 2008, there were no recommendations submitted to Benin in the area of freedom of expression. However, Benin accepted the recommendation to urgently amend its criminal law to comply with international relevant standards, which can also cover other speech-related offences. This submission examines a failure to implement this recommendation in relation to freedom of expression. Additionally, it highlights a number of instances in which Benin failed to meet its international obligations to promote and protect the right to freedom of expression, in particular incidents of harassment and attacks on journalists, freedom of the media, incidents of media censorship, inadequate laws on access to information and the right to peaceful protest.
To read the full text of ARTICLE 19’s submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review, click here.
