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Articles 1(1), 2(1) and 25 of the Convention. Trafficking in persons. In its previous comments the Committee noted that the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) had referred in their reports to cases involving the trafficking of women in Benin and the Committee asked the Government to supply information on the steps taken to combat and prevent this phenomenon. The Committee notes the indications in the Government’s report concerning the steps taken to combat trafficking and notes that these measures mainly relate to children. With regard to the trafficking of women, the Government refers in particular to the formulation of a national policy for the advancement of women and also to the drafting of a bill on the elimination of violence towards women and discrimination. The Committee notes this information and requests the Government to continue to supply specific information on the steps taken to combat the trafficking in persons, including measures taken for awareness-raising and protection of victims, and also any available statistics. It asks the Government to indicate the steps taken towards broadening the scope of the measures adopted to combat trafficking so as all victims are reached.

While noting the Government’s statement that the legislative provisions in force prescribing penalties for the perpetrators of trafficking are out of step with the socio-economic reality of the country and that reforms are in progress for the adoption of new provisions, the Committee requests the Government to send a copy of the new legislative provisions designed to combat the trafficking in persons, once they are adopted. The Government is also requested to send a copy of any court decisions issued in this area and also any information on penalties imposed.