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(1) BASIC FACTS Independence: 1 August 1960, Former French

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(1) BASIC FACTS Independence: 1 August 1960, Former French BENIN By Roland Adjovi, a PhD student at the University of Paris II, Panthéan-Assas. He taught at the University of Bouaké, Ivory Coast, 1998-1999. (1) BASIC FACTS Independence: 1 August 1960, former French colony, known as Dahomey until 1975 Leader: Mathieu Kerekou, b 1933, president since April 1996 Capital: Porto Novo Other major city: Cotonou (main seaport and international airport) Area: 1 1 2 622 km2 Population: 6,5 mn (1995-2000) Population growth: 2,7 % Urbanization: 34 % (1995-2000) Languages: French (official), Kwa-Fon, Yoruba, Gur-Bariba, Hausa, Mande-Busa HDI rank: 146 (1997) Life expectancy at birth: 54 years ( 1 994) Adult literacy rate: 37 % (1995) Gross enrolment ratio (all educational levels): 35 % (1994) GNP: $2 034 mn GNP/capita: $370 (1995) GDP (average annual growth rate): 4,1 % (1990-95) Foreign debt: $1 646 mn (1995); as % of GNP: 81 % Development aid.� $256 mn (1 995); as % of GNP: 19 % Form of government: Presidential system Highest court dealing with constitutional matters: Constitutional Court (Cour constitutionelle) Tel 31 1610; Fax 313712 (President: Conceptia Ouinsou (since 1998)) Government institutions dealing with human rights: The Department of Human Rights of the Ministry of Justice, Legislation and Human Rights, created in 1997, has as its duty the promotion, popularization and protection of human rights. Within the same Ministry, there are two other departments that also play a role in the protection of human rights: the Department for Legal Protection of Children and Youth and the Department for the Safeguarding of Children. Tel 313146/313147 (Director of Human Rights: Mr Cyrille Oguin) High Authority of Audiovisual and Communications (HAAC - Haute Autorite de l Audiovisuel et de la Communication), instituted by the Constitution of 1990 to ensure, among others, freedom of the press. Contact: Avenue de la Marina, opposite the Hotel du Port Cotonou. Tel 31 1743/45 or 315212/315401/314203; Fax 31 1742 Benin Commission of Human Rights (CBDH - Commission Beninoise des Droits de l'Homme), created in 1989. It is in charge of assuring the promotion and protection of human rights in Benin. 04 BP 607, Cotonou. Tel 312304/314130/314969/315931 (President: Mr Saibou Agbantou) National Consultative Council for Human Rights (CNCDH - Conseil National Consultatif des Droits de l'Homme), created in 1997. It serves to establish dialogue between the state and various NGOs. Tel 313146/47; Fax 313448 (President: Minister of Justice, Legislation and Human Rights) National Commission for the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law (Commission nationale de la mise en oeuvre du droit international humanitaire) , created in 1998 (President: Minister of Justice, Legislation and Human Rights) National Committee to Monitor the Implementation of International Instruments in Matters Regarding Human Rights (Comite national de suivi de l'application des instruments internationaux en matiere des droits de l'Homme) , created in 1996. This Committee draws up reports and sends them to various institutions. These reports deal with the implementation of international instruments. The implementation of international instruments is also the responsibility of the Minister of Justice, Legislation and Human Rights. Committee for the Co-ordination and Monitoring of the Development of National Plans of Action Regarding the Situation of Women and Children (Comité pour la coordination et le suivi du plan national d'action sur 1'6tat de la femme et des enfants), created in 1994 Legal tradition: A mixed system of French law and traditional, pre-colonial law. From the 1930s Benin experienced a "pre-colonial legal system" with the drafting of the Common Law of Dahomey. When it became independent in 1960, the Republic of Dahomey opted for a mixture of French law and traditional pre-colonial law. This mixture gave birth to the present law of Benin of which the evolution is essentially based on judicial decisions since the legislator has not yet put in place a properly drafted body of law. Dominant religion: Traditional religion (or animism) 45%, Christian 34%, Islam 21 % Legal training provided at: Universite Nationale du Benin, Faculte des Sciences juridiques, economiques et politiques (FASJEP), 01 BP 1287, Cotonou. Tel 360074; Fax 350632; � www.bj.refer.org > (Dean: Fulbert Gero Amoussouga) Eco% Nationale d'Administration (ENA), Université Nationale du B6nin, BP 980, Cotonou. Tel 360143; �www.bj.refer.org> (Director: Ms Lydie Pognon) Eco% Regionale Superieure de la Magistrature (dans le cadre du traite de I'OHADA) (ERSMA) - BP 967, Cotonou. Tel 224367/22441 1 ; Fax 313448; � www.cm.refer. org/ ecohada/erm.htm > (Director: Timothee Some) Institut des Droits de l'Nomme et de Promotion de la Democratie, la Democratie au Quotidien (IDH-PD-DQ), 08 BP 1120, Cotonou. Tel 302706 (Director: Maurice Ahanhanzo-Glele) Institut Kilimandjaro, 03 BP 1430, Cotonou. Tel 301047 (Head: Lazare Sehoueto) Comments: Although Benin produces oil in limited quantities, it is poorly endowed with mineral resources and entirely dependent on exports of agricultural crops, notably cotton, cocoa and palm products. Faced with economic collapse, the government renounced its socialist economic policies and held free elections early in 1991. These elections were a watershed in contemporary African politics. For the first time since the 1960s an incumbent regime on continental Africa was removed through the ballot box, with a peaceful transfer of power to the winner. However, the tables were turned when ousted President Kerekou defeated incumbent President Nicephore Soglo in the presidential elections of March 1996. (2) COUNTRY REPORT Historical background Pre-co%nial period (to the end of the 19th century): Before colonization, the current Beninese territory consisted of different kingdoms of which the Abomey or the kingdom of Danhome, appeared to be the most influential with regard to relations with the white population that came from Europe. Power was often absolute. In the kingdom of Danhome the king could decide over life or death of his subjects as illustrated by human sacrifices. Discrimination between the sexes was a social rule, yet it is not possible to claim that society was as a whole a male chauvinist society with little regard for women: the Amazones existed; in families the woman's role was to bring up the children; and in the royal families women had a special place. This era was also characterised by slavery, in which the kingdom of Danhome played a major role, being the Slave Coast. The Africans who were sold to Europeans (French, Dutch, .
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