At the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, during the adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of Benin, ISHR and Changement Social Benin delivered a joint statement encouraging Benin to do more for the protection of defenders in the country.
In the 4th cycle of the UPR, Benin accepted 234 recommendations out of the 258 recommendations received. The Benin delegation highlighted that structural reforms concerning areas, including child protection, violence against women and prison overcrowding were initiated. While the intervening States commended Benin’s efforts and appreciated their acceptance of the majority of recommendations, civil society speakers raised some concerns, especially human rights defenders’ lack of protection.
ISHR and Changement Social Benin jointly pointed out in their statement that crucial recommendations focusing on justiciability of economic, social and cultural rights, legal access to the African Court of Human Rights and protection of human rights defenders were only noted. In particular, human rights defenders have increasingly been facing challenges in recent years resulting in shrinking civic space within Benin.
Therefore, ISHR and Changement Social Benin call on Benin :
To open up civic space and to continue fostering dialogue with civil society as societies must be built with inclusive dialogues and the involvement of all actors
To ratify the Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to render these rights effective
To reconsider its position on granting legal access to the African Court on Human Rights.
Author
Anusika Vinasithamby
Anusika is currently completing her Master’s Degree in Human Rights at the University of Oslo. In her past experiences with NGOs such as Child Rights Connect and Human Rights Watch, she has been very engaged in child empowerment and advocacy work related to human rights abuses in several countries. Also, she has volunteered in fundraising projects for children and supported asylum-seekers with their integration. Due to Anusika’s Sri Lankan roots, she aims to empower vulnerable groups of society, including girls, women and refugees.
At the 53rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, during the adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of Zambia, ISHR, the Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolutions of Disputes and the Zambia Human Rights Defenders Network delivered a joint statement calling on Zambia to revise its legal instruments and adopt an adequate legal framework to ensure defenders can work in a safe environment without fear of reprisals.
For many rights holders, victims and human rights defenders, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) provides a vital lever increasing pressure for change at the national level, while for others it provides the last resort or only opportunity to expose violations, seek accountability, and garner support for their vital work towards a fair, equal and sustainable world. We need the HRC to be credible, effective and accessible to everyone. This is only possible if States demonstrate leadership, take action in line with objective human rights criteria, ensure that HRC members live up to their responsibilities, and fully cooperate with the HRC and its mechanisms.
In compliance with Article 62 of the African Charter, States have the obligation to report every two years on the legislative, administrative and political measures taken with a view to give effect to human rights guaranteed by the Charter. The Islamic Republic of Mauritania, which ratified the Charter in 1986, submitted its 15th-16th and 17th Periodic Reports for its review.
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