Human rights: Amnesty International warns of a ‘worrying’ setback in Benin and around the world

Amnesty International Benin unveiled this Tuesday, during a press conference at the Benin Royal Hotel, its 2025-2026 report on the state of human rights. In front of media professionals, the NGO presented a troubling assessment of the state of human rights, both globally and nationally. A no-nonsense diagnosis, marked by the rise of authoritarian practices and the weakening of fundamental guarantees.

“The year 2025 unfortunately did not mark a positive breakthrough. On the contrary, authoritarian practices have intensified worldwide,” said Dieudonné Dagbeto, the executive director of Amnesty International Benin. Presented the day before at the international level, the document reviews the situation in 144 countries. It highlights a series of troubling trends: increased repression of opposition, persistent discrimination, armed conflicts with dramatic consequences for civilians, but also a retreat of humanitarian aid and the misuse of new technologies.

“ Fundamental rights are today facing growing threats, driven by political and economic dynamics that undermine international balances,” the official insisted, noting an evolution that goes beyond mere erosion to resemble direct attacks on the very foundations of the international order.

Benin Under Scrutiny

At the national level, the report highlights several warning signs. Freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly remain under pressure, notably through the use of certain legal provisions governing digital communications.

Journalists and political actors have been questioned or prosecuted, while some media outlets have been suspended. Meanwhile, the security situation in the north of the country continues to deteriorate, with increased internal displacement and precarious living conditions for the affected populations.

The document also highlights difficulties related to pretrial detention, prison conditions, and inadequately compensated forced expulsions. In light of these findings, Amnesty International calls on the Beninese authorities to strengthen guarantees in the area of fundamental freedoms and to undertake structural reforms to improve the protection of human rights.

An Appeal to the Media

In more direct terms, the executive director challenged information professionals on their role in defending freedoms. “I think that, to truly gauge the level of freedom of expression, it isn’t always necessary to produce long reports. Sometimes it’s enough to bring media professionals into a room, ask them questions, and observe that they hesitate to speak freely,” he said.

Before insisting: “You are at the heart of society: both witnesses, conduits, and actors in the information landscape. If violations or abuses of rights aren’t documented and relayed, it becomes difficult … to have material to work with.” In this spirit, the organization announced the upcoming launch of a media prize dedicated to human rights, which could, for its third edition, take on a regional dimension.