Civil Prison, Cotonou
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FRIDAY 27 AUGUST
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Civil prison, Parakou
SATURDAY 28 AUGUST
Brigade Territoriale de la Gendarmerie, Parakou
Central Police Station, Parakou
Civil Prison, Natitingou
The New Prison in Natitingou
Brigade de Gendarmerie Territoriale de Natitingou
Central Police Station, Natitingou
MONDAY 30 AUGUST
Lokossa Civil Prison
Institute For Development of Indigenous Studies (IDEE)
Farm at Pahou
Constitutional Court
Final meeting
RECOMMENDATIONS
To the Government
Medical and Legal Profession
Civil Society
Donor Community
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LIST OF PARTICIPANTS AT THE MEETING
WITH NGOs AND THE PRESS
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TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE
SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON PRISONS
AND CONDITIONS OF DETENTION IN AFRICA
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PRISONS IN BENIN
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
he government of Benin spared no effort to ensure the success of my mission.
At the airport to welcome me was a four-member delegation comprising
Mr. Lino Hadonou, Director of Prison Service, Ministry of Justice, Legislation
and Human Rights; Mr. Cyrille Oguin, Director of Human Rights of the same
Ministry; Mrs. Gisèle Bailey of the Africa and Middle East Division of the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Ebah Luc of the same Division and Ministry.
Without sacrificing or compromising confidentiality and privacy, whenever
desirable, Messrs. Lino Hadonou, Cyrille Oguin and Luc Ebah accompanied us
throughout the mission. At least two vehicles were set aside throughout my visit
to facilitate my work.
T
Governmental assistance went beyond the vehicular to the culinary. Not only was
I a guest at a dinner hosted by the Minister of Justice for the Registrar of ICTR
and his team, but on the eve of my departure from Benin, and against the
background of melodious old tunes from Ghana, my hosts demonstrated beyond
doubt that their standard was next to none in the art of cooking. That all who had
worked with me, and many more partook of the delights of the dining hall was
a matter of great delight to us all, particularly the present writer. Our gratitude
to them in particular, and the government of Benin in general is immense.
Mr. Joseph Gnonlonfoun, Minister of Justice, Legislation and Human Rights
granted us audience. He also extended an invitation to us to witness the signing
of an agreement between Benin, acting through her Foreign Minister, Dr.
Kolawole A. Idji and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda at Arusha,
acting through its Registrar, Mr. A. U. Okali for the purpose of providing prison
space for the latter's convicts. Dr. Idji made time after the signing ceremony to
have a discussion with me. To these Ministers and many other persons, some of
whom will be named later, who contributed to the success of the mission I am
most grateful.
Cecile Marcel of Penal Reform International (PRI), Paris acted as an interpreter
for me, and also attended to administrative matters. The Secretariat of the
Commission at Banjul, The Gambia and Penal Reform International, Paris