As Benin approaches a series of national elections in 2026, human rights organisations are urging candidates to place the protection of fundamental rights at the centre of their political agendas. Amnesty International and 13 civil society groups have jointly called on those contesting the legislative and municipal elections in January and the presidential election in April to commit to safeguarding human rights and reversing the ongoing erosion of civic space. To support this call, the organisations have published a manifesto outlining key priorities for the next authorities.
Civil society groups warn that civic space in Benin continues to shrink, marked by increased pressure on independent media, restrictions on dissent, and the arbitrary arrest and detention of critics. While some progress has been made, discrimination against women and marginalised groups persists, forced evictions continue to affect thousands of people, and serious concerns remain regarding access to justice and the right to a fair trial. These challenges, according to human rights advocates, require urgent and decisive action from the incoming government.
Freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly remain under significant strain. Media outlets have been suspended under legislation that criminalises certain forms of online expression, and protest rights are limited by laws that allow authorities to ban peaceful gatherings on broad and vague grounds. In recent years, security forces have used excessive force to disperse protests, leading to arrests and, in some cases, deaths. Families of those killed during demonstrations in 2019 continue to seek justice, highlighting the need for accountability and legal reform.
Detention conditions and access to justice are also major areas of concern. Despite efforts to improve the prison system, overcrowding remains widespread, and detainees often lack adequate access to water, sanitation, and healthcare. Human rights organisations have documented ongoing cases of arbitrary detention, including of opposition figures, and stress the importance of reducing reliance on pretrial detention, accelerating judicial proceedings, and expanding access to legal aid. Restoring access to regional human rights mechanisms is also seen as a critical step toward strengthening accountability.
Gender equality and the protection of marginalised groups feature prominently in the manifesto. Women continue to be underrepresented in political and senior leadership positions, underscoring the need for measures to promote equal participation. Persons with disabilities face barriers in accessing health and education services, and additional investment is needed to provide inclusive education, specialised support services, and trained professionals. At the same time, displacement linked to insecurity in the northern regions has left tens of thousands of internally displaced people and refugees struggling to access basic services, requiring stronger protection and coordinated humanitarian assistance.
Economic, social, and cultural rights are another focal point for reform. Development-related forced evictions have displaced many families without fair compensation or adequate rehousing, while barriers to healthcare persist, particularly for women unable to afford medical fees. Labour rights have also been curtailed by restrictions on the right to strike, affecting a wide range of workers. Human rights organisations argue that revising these policies is essential to ensuring dignity, equality, and social justice.
Overall, the manifesto is presented as a practical roadmap rather than an exhaustive list of demands. Amnesty International and its partners are calling on all political parties and candidates to publicly commit to these principles, emphasizing that the credibility of Benin’s democratic process and the wellbeing of its population depend on meaningful action to uphold human rights.
