Geneva-Cotonou, September 2013. The World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) and its local partner in Benin, Solidarity for Children in Africa and the World (ESAM), organized a mission from 9 to 13 September 2013, to monitor the conditions of children in conflict with the law and promote a training to Juvenile Court Judges.

The mission also counted with the presence of the international expert Mr. Fortuné Gaetan Zongo, member of the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (SPT), and judge at the Appeal Court of Burkina-Faso.
During the mission OMCT expressed its concern regarding the continuing allegations of violence against children deprived of liberty, to authorities of the Ministry of Justice and of the Ministry of Family.
In addition, three prisons were visited (Cotonou, Oidah and Lokossa) were children detained were interviewed and local authorities questioned about the treatment and allegations of practices that could amount to Torture and Ill-treatment.
According to the information provided by the children, OMCT notices with concern that corporal punishment and solitary confinement are commonly used in the centres visited. Children also have claimed to have constant contact with adults prisoners, and that the food is insufficient and of bad quality.
OMCT is especially concerned about the situations of girls deprived of liberty, who don’t have access to any educational activity and are placed in the same space with adult women.
As a conclusion of the mission OMCT, its local partner and Mr. Zongo conducted a two-day training on the International Human Rights Standards for the Protection of Children and the Prevention and Fight against Torture. The training counted with the presence of all Juvenile Court Judges in the country, and was perceived as an opportunity to dialogue with the judges and seek practical solutions to prevent torture and ill-treatment of children deprived of liberty in Benin.
OMCT and ESAM continue to monitor the situation in the country through regular visits to detention centres and a continuum dialogue with the Government.
OMCT recalls that States have a positive obligation to protect children from all forms of violence. Children deprived of their liberty are especially vulnerable and must be object of special measures from the State to prevent situations of risk, and safeguard their life and physical integrity.
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