Benin
Death penalty and prisoners' rights · Archive since 1999
Data card
- Legal status
- Abolitionist
- Executions recorded in 2026
- 0
- Executions recorded in 2025
- 0
- First news item in the archive
- JANUARY 1, 1999 · The Penal Code provides for a wide range of death-qualifiable...
- News items in the archive
- 47
Source: Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026.
Benin is classified as Abolitionist in the Hands Off Cain database, updated to 2026. In 2026 the association recorded 0 executions in the country, against 0 the year before. The archive holds 47 news items on Benin, from 1999 to today.
Latest news
- JANUARY 1, 2020BeninDEATH PENALTY
On 21 February 2018, the government of Benin commuted the death sentence of all the 14 men to life
On 21 February 2018, the government of Benin commuted the death sentence of all the 14 men to life imprisonment. This is after the decision, by the Constitutional Court of Benin, to abolish the death penalty for all crimes in a 2016 after the entry into
- JANUARY 1, 2020BeninDEATH PENALTY
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
- JANUARY 1, 2019BeninDEATH PENALTY
On 21 February 2018, the government of Benin commuted the death sentence of all the 14 men to life
On 21 February 2018, the government of Benin commuted the death sentence of all the 14 men to life imprisonment. This is after the decision, by the Constitutional Court of Benin, to abolish the death penalty for all crimes in a 2016 after the entry into
- JANUARY 1, 2019BeninDEATH PENALTY
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
- AUGUST 24, 2018BeninDEATH PENALTY
On 21 February 2018, the government of Benin commuted the death sentence of all the 14 men to life
On 21 February 2018, the government of Benin commuted the death sentence of all the 14 men to life imprisonment. This is after the decision, by the Constitutional Court of Benin, to abolish the death penalty for all crimes in a 2016 after the entry into
- FEBRUARY 21, 2018BeninDEATH PENALTY
BENIN ABOLISHES DEATH PENALITY
Benin has abolished the death penalty, according to a decree issued by the head of state, Patrice Talon.
- JANUARY 1, 2018BeninDEATH PENALTY
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
- JANUARY 1, 2017BeninDEATH PENALTY
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
- JANUARY 21, 2016BeninDEATH PENALTY
the Constitutional Court of Benin ruled that Benin’s 2012 ratification of the Second Option
the Constitutional Court of Benin ruled that Benin’s 2012 ratification of the Second Option
- JANUARY 1, 2016BeninDEATH PENALTY
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
- JANUARY 1, 2015BeninDEATH PENALTY
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
- JULY 4, 2014BeninDEATH PENALTY
BENIN: PAN-AFRICAN CONFERENCE ON ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY CONCLUDES
It ended today, the Continental Conference on the Abolition of the death penalty in Africa convened in Cotonou, the capital of Benin, by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights with the ministerial meeting chaired by Foreign Minister Bako-Arif
- JULY 3, 2014BeninDEATH PENALTY
DEATH PENALTY: SECOND DAY OF THE PAN-AFRICAN CONFERENCE
The Pan-African Conference on the Death Penalty went through its second day. The session began with the reports of the five thematic commissions held the previous day concerning the role of parliamentarians, civil society and media, professional groups,
- JULY 2, 2014BeninDEATH PENALTY
DEATH PENALTY: SETS OUT THE AFRICAN CONFERENCE IN BENIN
Today were opened in Cotonou, capital of Benin, the three days works of the Continental Conference on the Abolition of the death penalty in Africa convened by the local government with the Commission on Human Rights and Peoples of the African Union in col
- JANUARY 1, 2014BeninDEATH PENALTY
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
- DECEMBER 4, 2013BeninDEATH PENALTY
a French appeal court ruled against the extradition of Beninese businessman Patrice Talon, who is accused
a French appeal court ruled against the extradition of Beninese businessman Patrice Talon, who is accused
- JANUARY 1, 2013BeninDEATH PENALTY
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
- DECEMBER 17, 2012BeninDEATH PENALTY
the National Assembly voted for the repeal of death penalty provisions
the National Assembly voted for the repeal of death penalty provisions
JULY 5, 2012BeninDEATH PENALTYBENIN: ACCESSION TO THE SECOND OPTIONAL PROTOCOL AIMING AT THE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY
with the deposit of its instrument of accession, Benin has become part of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.
- JANUARY 1, 2012BeninDEATH PENALTY
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession...
On July 5, 2012, with the deposit of its instrument of accession, Benin has become part of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.
- AUGUST 18, 2011BeninDEATH PENALTY
BENIN CLOSER TO ABOLISHING THE DEATH PENALTY
Benin took an important step towards abolishing the death penalty after the country’s National Assembly voted in favour of ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which calls for the death penalt
- JANUARY 1, 2011BeninDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is provided for in the penal code for various offences, including: murder, piracy, treason, sorcery and other practices causing public disturbance.
The death penalty is provided for in the penal code for various offences, including: murder, piracy, treason, sorcery and other practices causing public disturbance.
- APRIL 16, 2010BeninDEATH PENALTY
Between April 12-15, 2010, the death penalty working group...
Between April 12-15, 2010, the death penalty working group of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights organised a second regional meeting in Cotonou, Benin.
- JANUARY 1, 2010BeninDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is provided for in the penal code for various offences, including: murder, piracy, treason, sorcery and other practices causing public disturbance.
The death penalty is provided for in the penal code for various offences, including: murder, piracy, treason, sorcery and other practices causing public disturbance.
- FEBRUARY 28, 2009BeninDEATH PENALTY
a year after its creation by presidential decree, on February 18, 2008...
a year after its creation by presidential decree, on February 18, 2008...
- JANUARY 1, 2009BeninDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is provided for in the penal code for various offences, including: murder, piracy, treason, sorcery and other practices causing public disturbance.
The death penalty is provided for in the penal code for various offences, including: murder, piracy, treason, sorcery and other practices causing public disturbance.
- NOVEMBER 25, 2008ChinaDEATH PENALTY
EIGHT AFRICANS SENTENCED TO DEATH IN CHINA FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
eight Africans were sentenced to death in southern China after being convicted of drug smuggling, state press reported.
- JANUARY 1, 2008BeninDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty is provided for in the penal code for various offences, including: murder, piracy, treason, sorcery and other practices causing public disturbance.
The death penalty is provided for in the penal code for various offences, including: murder, piracy, treason, sorcery and other practices causing public disturbance.
- DECEMBER 18, 2007BeninDEATH PENALTY
Benin voted in favour of the Resolution on a Moratorium...
Benin voted in favour of the Resolution on a Moratorium...
- FEBRUARY 28, 2007BeninDEATH PENALTY
BENIN GOVERNMENT FAVOURS ABOLISHING DEATH PENALTY
at the Third World Congress Against the Death Penalty in Paris...