APT Compilation of Torture Laws

Country File
BENIN
Last Updated: 18.12.2012
Region
Africa
Legal System
Civil Law
UNCAT
Ratification,
Accession (a), or
Succession (d)
12 March 1992 (a)
Relevant Laws
- Constitution de la Republique du Bénin (Law No. 90-32 du 11 Décembre
1990) (Constitution)
 Stand-Alone
Torture Law
(Y/N)
No
Relevant Articles
Definition of
Torture (General),
(Article 1)
Prohibition on
Torture (Article 1)
Crime of Torture
(Article 4)
- Article 18 of the Constitution
 Definition:
None
 Statute of
Limitations
None
 Penalties
None
There is not currently a crime of torture in the criminal code of Benin.
Article 19 of the Constitution states that all persons who commit torture or
CIDT are to be punished according to the law.
 Other
Universal
Jurisdiction &
Cooperation,
(Articles 5, 9)
Investigations,
(Articles 12, 13)
APT is providing the Torture Law Compilation (TLC) for informational purposes only. The TLC is not intended to provide
legal advice to any individual or entity or to provide a legal opinion concerning the laws of any jurisdiction. The APT makes
no guarantee, undertaking or warranty concerning the accuracy, completeness, or currency of any of the information
contained in the TLC. If you believe that information contained in the TLC is incomplete or incorrect please contact APT at
[email protected].
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Remedies and
Reparations,
(Article 14)
Exclusion of
Evidence
(Article 15)
Legal and
Procedural
Safeguards
(Articles 2, 11, 16)
- Article 18 of the Constitution (access to a doctor)
Non-Refoulement
(Article 3)
Other
Comments
- Benin participated in the Universal Periodic Review in October 2012.
Several States made comments during the interactive dialogue regarding
the criminalization of torture in Benin:
Canada “requested Benin to keep Canada abreast of the status of
the mainstreaming of the definition of torture within Benin’s
legislation and the timetable set for the implementation of this
commitment.” ¶29
United Kingdom “encouraged swift adoption of the new Criminal
Code, which should contain a definition of torture pursuant to
article 1 of the Convention against Torture.” ¶86
France made the following recommendation which was accepted by Benin:
“Take measures necessary to define and criminalize torture in the
forthcoming Criminal Code.” ¶108.10
Languages
Available
Links & Sources
Report of the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, Benin, UN
Doc.
A/HRC/22/9
(11
December
2012)
available
at:
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/UPR/Pages/BJSession14.aspx.
French
- Constitution de la Republique du Bénin (Law No. 90-32 du 11 Décembre
1990), available at: http://www.cour-constitutionnellebenin.org/lacourpresent/decrets/Constitution.pdf
APT is providing the Torture Law Compilation (TLC) for informational purposes only. The TLC is not intended to provide
legal advice to any individual or entity or to provide a legal opinion concerning the laws of any jurisdiction. The APT makes
no guarantee, undertaking or warranty concerning the accuracy, completeness, or currency of any of the information
contained in the TLC. If you believe that information contained in the TLC is incomplete or incorrect please contact APT at
[email protected].
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Relevant Articles – BENIN
 Constitution de la République du Bénin
TITRE II- DES DROITS ET DES DEVOIRS DE LA PERSONNE HUMAINE
Art. 18
Nul ne sera soumis à la torture, ni à des sévices ou traitements cruels, inhumains
ou dégradants.
Nul n'a le droit d'empêcher un détenu ou un prévenu de se faire examiner par un
médecin de son choix.
Nul ne peut être détenu dans un établissement pénitentiaire s'il ne tombe sous le
coup d'une loi pénale en vigueur.
Nul ne peut être détenu pendant une durée supérieure à quarante-huit heures
que par la décision d'un magistrat auquel il doit être présenté. Ce délai ne peut être
prolongé que dans des cas exceptionnellement prévus par la loi, et ne peut excéder une
période supérieure à huit jours.
Art. 19
Tout individu, tout agent de l'État qui se rendrait coupable d'acte de torture, de
sévices ou traitements cruels, inhumains ou dégradants dans l'exercice ou à l'occasion
de l'exercice de ses fonctions, soit de sa propre initiative, soit sur instruction, sera puni
conformément à la loi.
Tout individu, tout agent de l'État est délié du devoir d'obéissance, lorsque l'ordre
reçu constitue une atteinte grave et manifeste au respect des droits de l'homme et des
libertés publiques.
APT is providing the Torture Law Compilation (TLC) for informational purposes only. The TLC is not intended to provide
legal advice to any individual or entity or to provide a legal opinion concerning the laws of any jurisdiction. The APT makes
no guarantee, undertaking or warranty concerning the accuracy, completeness, or currency of any of the information
contained in the TLC. If you believe that information contained in the TLC is incomplete or incorrect please contact APT at
[email protected].
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