Benin
End persecutions of journalists, human rights defenders and voices critical of the government.
Benin is located in West Africa and has a population of 12.8 million. Previously considered one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most stable democracies, however, since the election of Patrice Talon as president in 2016, democratic backsliding in the country has been underway threatening its pluralist media landscape and constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression. Its 1990 constitution guarantees ‘’secrecy of correspondence and communications’’and freedom of opinion, expression and the press. Restrictions on civil liberties are on the rise with journalists, bloggers, activists and opposition figures facing prosecutions and arrests, including for online content and criticism of Talon and his presidency.
5%
Households with internet access in 2017
26%
Individuals using internet in 2020
0
Fixed Broadband Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in 2017
121/180
Press Freedom Ranking in 2022
Upr cycle
Benin was last reviewed in November 2022.
Digital Rights and Free Expression Recommendations
Resources
Benin cluster
The country clusters are a local working group in each Uproar target country made up of our partner organisations. The clusters are organised by local lead organisations, who then coordinate local civil society and human rights defenders with digital rights expertise to engage in national-level advocacy and campaigning.
