The State party should take effective measures to combat and eradicate torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment by adopting a holistic approach to the problem. The State party should take all necessary measures to ensure strict implementation of the relevant legislation by prosecuting and punishing those responsible for such acts. The State party should consider setting up an observatory on the rights of the child, resume consideration of the bill on “vidomégons” and strengthen the system of care for child victims of violence. (23) While noting that the State party’s legislation prohibits corporal punishment in schools (Circular No. 100/MEN/CAB of 1962), the Committee remains concerned about the absence of legislation prohibiting such punishment in the family and in institutions other than schools. The Committee is also concerned at the frequent use of this practice in education in Benin (art. 16). The State party should extend legislation prohibiting corporal punishment to the family and to institutions other than schools. The State party should ensure that legislation prohibiting corporal punishment is strictly enforced and awareness-raising and educational campaigns should be conducted to that effect. Violence against women (24) The Committee acknowledges the State party’s efforts to strengthen the legal framework relating to violence against women and trafficking in women and regrets that the draft Criminal Code does not include a specific offence of domestic violence and trafficking in women. The Committee notes with concern reports of widespread violence against women, particularly trafficking, rape and violence in the family, and regrets the low number of complaints and convictions (arts. 2, 4, 12, 14 and 16). The State party should adopt all appropriate measures to prevent, combat and punish violence against women, for instance by incorporating into the draft Criminal Code the offences of family violence, marital rape and trafficking in women and by promptly adopting the bill on the prevention, control and repression of violence against women in Benin. The State party should also set up a rehabilitation and support system for victims. Mob justice (25) The Committee is concerned at reports that the phenomenon of mob justice persists (art. 16). The State party should strengthen its efforts to eliminate the problem of mob justice. The Committee invites the State party to undertake a thorough review of the obstacles to the eradication of the phenomenon and to consider more effective approaches. Training on the prohibition of torture (26) While acknowledging the State party’s significant efforts in providing human rights training to State officials, the Committee regrets, however, the lack of information regarding specific training on the prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment (art. 10). The State party should strengthen human rights training programmes for law enforcement officials so as to incorporate the prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment. Such training should also be provided to medical staff. (27) The Committee reiterates the recommendation it made during the consideration of the report of Benin in 2001 that the State party should make the declarations provided for in articles 21 and 22 of the Convention. (28) The Committee encourages the State party to involve NGOs and academic experts in the review of national legislation, including the draft Criminal Code and the draft Code of Criminal Procedure, with a view to bringing them into line with the provisions of the Convention. The State party should take the necessary steps to adopt these draft Codes forthwith. 11