Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2017, published 107th ILC session (2018)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Benin (Ratification: 1961)

Article 1(a) of the Convention. Imposition of prison sentences involving the obligation to work as punishment for expressing political views or views ideologically opposed to the established political, social or economic system. The Committee recalls that its previous comments referred to a number of provisions under Act No. 60-12 of 30 June 1960 on the freedom of the press and Act No. 97-010 of 20 August 1997 liberalizing audiovisual communications and establishing special penal provisions for offences relating to the press and audiovisual communication, under which prison sentences involving the obligation to work in prison, could be imposed to punish various acts or activities related to the exercise of freedom of speech. The Committee observes in this respect that Act No. 2015-07 on the Code of Information and Communication in the Republic of Benin was adopted on 22 January 2015 and that this law repeals the two acts abovementioned. The Committee notes with satisfaction that henceforth the offences of defamation, insult and contempt committed by the press, printed matter, posters or any other modern means of mass communication are no longer sanctioned with prison sentences (articles 268 to 278).

The Committee is raising other points in a request addressed directly to the Government.