Commission Béninoise des Droits de l'Homme
CBDH
Summary
The CBDH was established by Loi n°2012-36 of 15 February 2013 as Benin's national human rights institution (NHRI) with GANHRI 'A' status. Loi n°2024-22 of 26 July 2024 reformed the institution—reducing membership from 11 to 7 independent commissioners selected by public competitive process and sworn before the Supreme Court—and formally designated the CBDH as Benin's national preventive mechanism (MNP) under OPCAT, ending years of non-compliance. The CBDH conducts announced and unannounced visits to all places of deprivation of liberty (police commissariats, gendarmerie brigades, maisons d'arrêt, prisons), receives and investigates complaints of human rights violations, provides legal guidance to victims, and issues public annual reports. It has no binding discipline authority over police officers; findings are referred to prosecutors or the responsible hierarchy. Civilian composition is required by statute (no sworn officers; members drawn from civil society, academia, legal professions).
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Independent commission |
|---|---|
| Term length | 5 years |
| Removal standard | For cause only |
| Budget independence | Legislative line item |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | No |
| Records access | Restricted |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Loi n°2012-36 du 15 février 2013 portant création de la Commission Béninoise des Droits de l'Homme, telle que modifiée par Loi n°2024-22 du 26 juillet 2024
- Citation
- Loi n°2012-36 du 15 février 2013; Loi n°2024-22 du 26 juillet 2024
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
National independent human rights institution and national preventive mechanism (NPM/MNP) under OPCAT. Mandated to investigate human rights violations, receive citizen complaints, and conduct regular preventive visits to all places of deprivation of liberty including police stations, gendarmerie brigades, prisons, and detention centers across Benin.