FIACAT and ACAT Benin congratulate Benin on having removed the death penalty from its criminal legislation

Good news

By FIACAT, on 6 June 2018

Although the last execution in Benin took place in 1987, the country’s courts continued to impose death sentences until 2012, when Benin acceded to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) on 5 July. Benin is therefore abolitionist since 2012.

ACAT Benin, Social Change Benin and Amnesty international Benin have maintained a constant pressure by means of joint advocacy actions with the Beninese government so that it abolishes punishment in its law and commutes the sentences of those sentenced to death.

In February 2018, the Council of Ministers adopted a decree to commute the sentences of the last 14 death row inmates to life imprisonment.

A draft Criminal Code without the death penalty had been drafted and was pending before the National Assembly. It was adopted yesterday by parliament, formally prohibiting the practice of the death penalty in Benin.

FIACAT et ACAT Benin welcome this decision and encourage the Beninese Government to continue along this path by supporting the Draft Additional Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights aiming at the abolition of the death penalty in Africa.