CHAPTER THREE: DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL GOVERNANCE __________________________________________________________________________ 180. On a day-to-day basis, however, the people do not always enjoy these rights. On the socioeconomic front, large-scale inequalities persist in the society. Many citizens are unable to satisfy their basic needs despite the efforts of the government, especially in the areas of education (there is free education at the preschool and primary levels), health care, and so on. In addition, one can see a lack of respect for the rights of citizens, as well as a lack of drive in the promotion of economic, social and cultural rights. Thus, it is necessary to ensure a more thorough review of the laws and the provisions guaranteeing these rights, including increased sensitisation about human rights. 181. With regard to justice and guarantees for rights and freedoms, the justice system in Benin can hardly be accessed by the majority of citizens, despite the giant steps taken to establish Courts of First Instance in several communes and an Appeal Court in Parakou to reduce the pressure on the one in Cotonou. There is an acute lack of information for citizens about mechanisms for referring cases to courts. Most people who come under the jurisdiction of a court therefore do not know the procedures to follow when seeking redress in the event of conflict. The bureaucratic bottlenecks and corruption in the judiciary create a lack of confidence in the justice delivery system, thereby contributing to the alienation of citizens from the courts. Most people therefore resort to other mechanisms for resolving disputes. These include settlement at the family level, village councils, and arbitration and mediation by traditional authorities (chiefs) or religious authorities. Others, however, resort to violent, illegal or underhanded means such as mob trials and casting spells. 182. The CSAR mentions several proposals intended to improve the situation. These include an independent judiciary; quality service from the justice system in the short term; a mechanism for performance appraisal, which should include surveys to determine whether parties are satisfied by the courts; judicial reforms in order to restore a positive image of the judiciary; and sustaining the sensitisation drive on procedures for referring cases to the courts. ii. Conclusions of the CRM 183. Economic, socio-cultural, civil and political rights An analysis of several documents confirms how effectively human rights and fundamental freedoms are being guaranteed. 184. The civil and political rights enshrined in major international instruments are incorporated in the body of the constitution. They include the right to life (Article 15); personal integrity (Article 18); the right to elect and be elected (Article 6); and the rights to freedom of thought and of conscience, religion and opinion (Article 23). 185. Freedom of worship is practised daily, and religious tolerance – the hallmark of a religious Beninese society – seems to be a value that must be highlighted as it constitutes a virtue worth emulating by other subregional countries that 86