A/HRC/8/39 Page 3 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its second session from 5 to 19 May 2008. The review of Benin was held at the 5th meeting on 7 May 2008. The delegation of Benin was headed by Mr. Honoré AKPOMEY, Director of Cabinet, Ministry of Justice, Legislation and Human Rights of Benin. For the composition of the delegation, composed of 8 members, see annex below. At its 9th meeting held on 9 May 2008, the Working Group adopted the present report on Benin. 2. On 28 February 2008, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Benin: Nicaragua, Madagascar and Germany. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Benin: (a) A national report submitted in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/2/BEN/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/2/BEN/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR, in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/2/BEN/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Denmark, Latvia, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and was transmitted to Benin through the troika. These questions are available on the extranet of the UPR. I. SUMMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE REVIEW PROCESS A. Presentation by the State under review 5. At the 5th meeting, on 7 May 2008, Mr. Honoré AKPOMEY, Director of Cabinet, Ministry of Justice, Legislation and Human Rights of Benin introduced the national report. He indicated that Benin fully endorsed the ideals of the Human Rights Council, recognizing the importance of the UPR in implementing global objectives for the promotion and protection of all human rights, including the rights to development, as well as in taking stock of the human rights situation. He welcomed the opportunity to have a constructive dialogue which will contribute to strengthening the significant progress in the implementation of all the international legal instruments to which Benin is a party, and stated that Benin is ready to fill any possible gaps. The drafting of the national report was the result of broad consultations, including with all the components of civil society and State structures. The Conference of all sectors in the nation, which was held in Cotonou from 19 to 28 February 1990, made it possible in Benin to announce an era of democratization based a comprehensive multi-party system. This new option led to the setting up of a legal framework as also political and institutional structures for the gradual setting up of a State of law and pluralist democracy. Benin thus adopted the Constitution in December 1990, and has since then gradually become a party to most of the international and regional human rights conventions and committed itself to cooperating with the relevant supervising bodies and various related mechanisms. In order to follow up on its international commitments, Benin has proceeded to the strengthening of its standard setting and institutional framework for the enjoyment of human rights, despite its limited resources. In this context, the Constitution of December 1990 states that ratified international