Source: Amnesty International –
As voters prepare to go to the polls in Benin, candidates running in the country’s legislative and municipal elections on 11 January 2026, and presidential election on 12 April 2026, must commit to prioritizing human rights, Amnesty International and 13 civil society organizations said. The organizations have published a manifesto setting out key human rights priorities for the incoming authorities.
“Civic space continues to shrink in Benin with a wave of attacks on independent media outlets and people still being arbitrarily arrested and detained for dissent. Despite progress, women and marginalized groups face discrimination, while forced evictions jeopardize the human rights of thousands of people. The right to a fair trial and access to justice are some of the issues the incoming authorities must urgently address,” said Dieudonné Dagbéto, Executive Director of Amnesty International Benin.
Our recommendations are not exhaustive, but they provide a roadmap for strengthening respect for human rights.
Dieudonné Dagbéto, Executive Director of Amnesty International Benin