Concluding Observations and Recommendations on the Second Periodic Report of the Republic of Benin Assembly touching on human rights, including: the Draft Penal Code and the Draft bill on press freedom. 45. Amend its laws on criminal defamation in line with Principle XII of the African Commission’s Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa. 46. Ensure that private broadcasting laws are reviewed to protect journalists from arbitrary arrest and detention. 47. Take appropriate measures to protect older women in the society in particular and older persons in general. 48. Take steps to enact legislation protecting the rights of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), prohibiting discrimination against them, and ensuring their equality in all spheres of life. The African Commission also recommends that steps should be taken to develop a programme that works in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS. 49. Take urgent measures so that prisoners are no longer involved with the up keeping of prison discipline. 50. Ensure that : the trafficking of children is punished; allegations of torture and ill-treatment are investigated and perpetrators of such acts be brought to justice. the judicial authority is provided with all logistical support in order to enable it better combat impunity and injustice; no statement obtained under torture or duress be allowed in proceedings and that orders from a superior are not considered as justification of torture; firmness is displayed to prevent abusive detention; prison conditions are consistent with international standards. 51. Inform the African Commission, in its next Periodic Report, of the steps it has taken to address the areas of concern, as well as how it has implemented the recommendations in this Concluding Observations. Adopted at the 45th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human Peoples’ Rights held from 13 to 27 May 2009, Banjul, The Gambia 45th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR 7|Page