EXECUTIVE SUMMARY __________________________________________________________________________ the modernisation of the state sensu stricto with the ultimate goal of enhancing democracy and especially improving the effectiveness and efficiency of public services. 3.94 The results continue to be mixed and raise the problem of the capacity of the state and society to carry out the desired reforms and modalities in good time and in proper order. With a view to increase the success of these reforms, it would be in the interest of the government to clarify the nature and operational actions of the state to construct the vision of an emerging Benin, as well as the priorities, sequences and resources that could be mobilised to that end. These are all challenges that seriously affect the leadership’s qualities, notably in its capacity to mobilise, join together and coordinate initiatives around a realistic project. 3.5.8 Citizenship and legal insecurity under the rule of law 3.95 The rights of the person have been at the heart of Benin’s democracy since the National Sovereign Conference in 1990. Benin’s constitution of 11 December 1990 devotes 33 articles to the rights and duties of the human person. The fact still remains that the effective protection of these basic rights and legal protection of the citizens depend on the efficiency of the institutions that are responsible for them. In this regard, one of the major concerns of the Beninese is the issue of civil status: how the individual can obtain a legal identity he/she can use to establish his/her status as a citizen. Without a legal identity, the individual can neither move around freely (freedom of movement), nor exercise his/her voting right (freedom of choice), nor establish a trade nor create a company (freedom of business establishment), nor have access to basic services (education, health, water and electricity), nor acquire property (request for a land title and property inheritance), nor open a bank account or find a job (right to work), nor legally form a union (right to marry). 3.96 Efforts undertaken by the state in this regard remain hesitant and are not reassuring. The reluctance to implement an electronic electoral register is clear evidence of this. Although Benin is no exception in this regard compared to some African countries, it is nonetheless extremely urgent that the public authorities accelerate the public hearings organised by the Department of Justice to deal with this problem, and especially to put in place an efficient civil status system that will allow citizens to establish their legal status through appropriate means. Good practices  Personal involvement of the president of the republic in implementing the APRM process.  Compliance with the electoral timetable for presidential and legislative elections. 28