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.

  • Households icon

    5%

    Households with internet access in 2017

  • Households icon

    26%

    Individuals using internet in 2020

  • Households icon

    0

    Fixed Broadband Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in 2017

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    121/180

    Press Freedom Ranking in 2022

Upr cycle

Benin was last reviewed in November 2022.

Digital Rights and Free Expression Recommendations

Cycle 2
02
Cycle 3
02
Cycle 3

Resources

    Partner organisations

    Over a hundred local and international human rights organisations are part of the wider Uproar programme. You can find them listed here.

    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.