Concluding Observations and Recommendations on the Second Periodic Report of the Republic of Benin 35. About the apparent inadequacies of Benin’s criminal justice system and in particular the high number of persons in detention awaiting trial and the extensive and sometimes indefinite period for which they are held without trial. 36. That Benin has not made the declaration under Article 34(6) of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Establishment of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Protocol Establishing the African Court), allowing individuals and NGOs with Observer Status before the African Commission, to institute cases before the African Court. 37. About the welfare and status of older women in Benin who are regarded as witches and the lack of legal protection to this category of people. 38. About the lack of adequate human rights training to judicial officers and auxiliaries engaged in court administration. IV - Recommendations The African Commission recommends that the Government of Benin should: 39. Make efforts to ensure that the provisions of the African Charter as well as the work of the African Commission are well publicised in the Country. In this regard, it encourages the State Party to take steps to translate and make available the African Charter in as many local languages as possible. 40. Take positive steps to create an effective mechanism to guarantee female participation in all levels of government, and also enact legislation to prohibit discriminatory practices against women. 41. Take the necessary steps to establish mechanisms for generating accurate statistical data on gender related issues, such as the level of female participation in all spheres and tiers of government and the number of judgements handed down by the courts regarding FGM. 42. Train judges, magistrates and other officers of the court on human rights protection. 43. Finalise steps to abolish the death penalty. 44. Ensure the enactment into law of the various draft Bills before its National 45th Ordinary Session of the ACHPR 6|Page