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Mr.

Patrice

Talon

Republic of Benin

Dear Excellency,

I am writing to you regarding the case of late Prudence Amoussou.

Prudence was a young, hardworking mother of seven children. She died on 2 May 2019 from a gunshot wound sustained during the demonstrations that followed controversial legislative elections in Benin. These demonstrations were violently repressed. At least 4 people were killed and others wounded.

Prudence's family received an official declaration of death document that stated that she died of an "illness". However, her family has refused to withdraw her body from the morgue without a cause of death certificate which they requested since August 2019.

On 31 October 2019, the Beninese parliament granted amnesty to alleged perpetrators of crimes during those protests, both members of the security forces and ordinary people. That amnesty will prevent the relatives of Prudence Amoussou from seeking justice in Benin and the truth about her death to be known.

2 May 2020 will mark 1 year since Prudence Amoussou’s death. It will mark 1 year of injustice and impunity.

I call on you to ensure that a cause of death certificate is given to Prudence’s family so that they can finally honor her memory through a funeral and bury her.

I urge you to provide all victims of the post-electoral violence with adequate, effective and prompt reparation, including victims of violations by members of the security forces.

Yours sincerely,

Monsieur