B- Measures taken by Benin to promote human rights in Benin. C- The Beninese State has made tremendous strides in the area of human rights such as : The introduction of human rights in philosophy training programmes at the general and technical schooling levels ; Launching of the Birth Certificate Census to provide birth certificates free of charge to thousands of Beninese without the document ; Increase in the State subsidies granted to private media houses; Introduction of a growth policy to ensure all segments of society enjoy their economic, social and cultural rights by adopting appropriate measures (micro-credit for the poorest, financial assistance to youths with business plans, salary increase for the civil service). Regarding international commitments, by virtue of its situation of State Party to the relevant human rights instruments, Benin has drafted and presented several reports on the implementation of the said instruments: initial report combined with the 2nd periodic report on the application of the International Covenant on Civil and Political rights was defended on 21 October, 2004 before the Human Rights Committee. The initial report combined with the 2nd and 3rd periodic reports on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women was reviewed in New York, in the United States on July 2005. - 22 -