U.S. Statement at the Universal Periodic Review of Benin
42nd Session
As delivered by Ambassador Michèle Taylor
Thank you, Ms. Vice-President.
The United States welcomes the delegation of Benin and values our countries’ cooperation on the Human Rights Council.
In the spirit of constructive engagement, we recommend that Benin:
1. Allow citizens and journalists to freely engage in discourse without threat of harassment or arrest, including by revising the Digital Code, which unduly restricts the right to freedom of expression.
2. Open and conduct a prompt and thorough investigation for every case of alleged excessive use of force by defense and security forces, including killings of demonstrators, suspected terrorists, or other suspected criminals, and provide access to justice and effective remedies for victims or their families.
3. Recommit to implementing the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action, including through national commitments made at the ICPD+25 Nairobi Summit; work to achieve health- and gender-related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals; and withdraw from contradictory joint initiatives like the Geneva Consensus Declaration.
We wish Benin a successful UPR. I thank you.
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