United Nations
CAT/OP/BEN/1/Add.1
Distr.: General
Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment
28 March 2011
English
Original: French
Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture
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 (CAT/OP/BEN/1 ) * , ** , ***
Contents
Paragraphs Page
I.Recommendations2–53
A.National preventive mechanism23
B.Legal and institutional framework3–43
C.Recommendations on deprivation of liberty by the police and gendarmerieand all other recommendations of the Subcommittee53
II.Replies to requests for information6–814
A.National preventive mechanism6–124
B.Legal and institutional framework13–534
C.Gendarmeries and police stations54–6010
D.Prisons61–7410
E.Cooperation75–8112
1.The Government of Benin welcomes the dialogue established with the Subcommittee since its visit of 17–26 May 2008 through the
ensuing recommendations and requests for information. This cooperation will help improve the conditions of detention of persons
deprived of their liberty and strengthen the legal and institutional framework.
I.Recommendations
A.National preventive mechanism
2.The authorities of Benin take due note of all the relevant recommendations by the Subcommittee regarding, among other matters:
The membership of the national preventive mechanism, which should also include practising legal or medical professionals
The incompatibility of membership of the national preventive mechanism with any other function that could affect its independence or
impartiality
The autonomous management by the national preventive mechanism of its budget and its financial reporting to the accounting chamber
of the Supreme Court
The modalities of work of the national preventive mechanism, which need to be more clearly defined in the relevant draft legislation
The recommendations that the national preventive mechanism should make to the authorities regarding the treatment, including the
conditions, of persons deprived of their liberty
The direct contact to be maintained with the Subcommittee to facilitate the exchange of information and thus follow up on the
recommendations made
B.Legal and institutional framework
3.The State party accepts the three recommendations made by the Subcommittee. In October 2009, non-governmental organizations
(NGOs), academic experts and members of the judiciary were incorporated in the review of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which