BENIN. GOVERNMENT OPTS TO MAINTAIN CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

May 29, 2006: it was reported that capital punishment would not be abolished in Benin. The decision was made by the government and a large number of parliamentarians during the week, holding it necessary to retain the death penalty in order to avoid turning the country into a refuge for international criminals. "Capital punishment must remain a part of the Penal Code, but only with the purpose of scaring off criminals. If not, our justice system would stand without sufficient means," Justice Minister Abraham Zinzindohoué announced as the Beninese government was in the process of revising the national Penal Code.
The announcement, the Minister made clear, had not been an easy decision.
Zinzindohoué recalled that Benin was a democratic country that should be part
of the international efforts for the abolishment of the death penalty. (Sources: Afrol.com, 01/06/2006)