Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2009, published 99th ILC session (2010)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Benin (Ratification: 1961)

Article 1, subparagraph (a), of the Convention. Imposition of sentences of imprisonment involving an obligation to work as a punishment for expressing political views or views ideologically opposed to the established political, social or economic system. In its previous direct request, the Committee noted the adoption of Act No. 2001‑21 of 21 February 2003 issuing the Charter of Political Parties. It noted that under Title VI of the Act, (“Penal provisions”), sentences of imprisonment may be imposed as a punishment for founding, directing or administering a political party in breach of the Charter of Political Parties (and particularly certain specific provisions thereof), or for directing or administering a political party that is maintained or reconstituted during its suspension or after its dissolution. The Committee refers once again to its observation, in which it emphasizes that the Convention covers prison sentences involving compulsory labour where such sentences may be imposed for expressing political views or views ideologically opposed to the established political, social or economic system. It observes in this respect that prison sentences do involve the obligation to work under section 67 of Decree No. 73‑293 of 15 September 1973 establishing the prison regime. As the Government’s latest report, received in October 2008, does not contain any information on this matter, the Committee once again requests the Government to indicate whether the provisions of Title VI of the Act have already been applied in practice. If so, the Committee requests the Government to provide copies of any judicial decisions handed down so that it can assess the scope of the provisions of the above Act.