Beninese President Patrice Talon on Wednesday issued a decree implementing legal aid across the country.

According to the minutes of the Council of Ministers, legal aid aims to ensure equal access to law and justice for all.

The adoption of this decree contributes to preventing and avoiding discrimination in access to justice, the origin of which could be illiteracy, ignorance of one’s rights, ethnicity, gender, religion, social or economic status, disability or any other cause.

Thus, whether they are of modest means or have little knowledge of the law, any person will now be able to have their rights defended by legal professionals. Each Beninese will have the possibility of benefiting from assistance before the courts and of seeking compensation in the event of injustice.

It also arranges for assistance in completing legal documents and drafting official correspondence as well as obtaining advice on resolving disputes outside of court.