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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Benin International Parental Child Abduction Information

International Parental Child Abduction

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Travel.State.Gov > International Parental Child Abduction > Country Information > Benin International Parental Child Abduction Information

Benin

Benin
Republic of Benin
Exercise increased caution in Benin due to crime, kidnapping, and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Reissued to update information on Crime, Terrorism, and Kidnapping. Risks due to Maritime Crime (Other) is removed.

Exercise increased caution in Benin due to crime, kidnapping, and  terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel to the below areas of Benin due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping:

  • The city of Kandi and all areas north and east extending to Benin’s borders with Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria.
  • The city of Tanguieta and all areas north and west extending to Benin’s borders with Burkina Faso and Togo.
  • The Pendjari and W National Parks
  • The Pendjari, Atacora, and Djona Hunting Zones
  • Route Nationale Inter-Etats 7 (RNIE 7) between Banikora and Segbana
  • Route Nationale 10 (RN 10) between Nikki and Segbana

Country Summary:
Bandits, criminal organizations, and terrorist groups are active in Benin, particularly in areas of Benin bordering Burkina Faso and Niger. Attacks in these areas can occur with little or no warning, and could target shops, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, bars, schools, government installations, transportation hubs, and other places where crowds gather.  Violent attacks are far more likely in the northern areas of Benin than in the southern and coastal areas.

Crimes such as robbery and assault occur in Benin. These crimes often happen at night and in isolated locations. Crime occurs more frequently in urban areas and crowded markets.  

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Benin.

If you decide to travel to Benin:

  • Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans.
  • Use caution when walking or driving at night.
  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • Keep a low profile.
  • Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewelry.
  • Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
  • Develop a communication plan with family and/or your employer or host organization.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on Facebook, Threads and X.
  • Review the Country Security Report for Benin.
  • Obtain comprehensive travel medical insurance that includes medical evacuation prior to travel.
  • Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
  • Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

Level 4: Do Not Travel - Areas of Benin bordering Burkina Faso, Niger, and the Nigerian states of Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara

Violent attacks may occur in these areas with little or no warning. Bandits, criminal organizations, and terrorist groups have carried out attacks in areas of southern Burkina Faso, southern Niger, and northern Benin (including near Park Pendjari, Park W, and adjacent hunting zones). Foreign nationals and residents traveling in these areas have been kidnapped in Park Pendjari.

Bandits, criminal organizations, and terrorist groups are active in the vicinity of Kandi and Tanguieta and in the northeastern border region between Benin and Nigeria, specifically in the border region north of Nikki. Foreign nationals and residents are at risk of kidnapping in this region.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Benin’s northern border areas. U.S. government employees under Chief of Mission security responsibility are prohibited from personal travel and must obtain special authorization for official travel to the areas described above.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

... [READ MORE]

Hague Convention Participation

Party to the Hague Abduction Convention?
No
U.S. Treaty Partner under the Hague Abduction Convention?
No
Learn why the Hague Abduction Convention Matters.

What You Can Do

Learn how to respond to abductions FROM the US
Learn how to respond to abductions TO the US
ALL / ALL /

U.S. Embassy Cotonou

Marina Avenue
01 BP 2012 Cotonou, Benin
Telephone: +(229) 21-30-75-00
Emergency after-hours telephone: +(229) 21-30-75-00
Fax: +(229) 21-30-66-82
Email: ConsularCotonou@state.gov (for American Citizen Services) 

 

For information concerning travel to Benin, including information about the location of the U.S. Embassy, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for Benin.

The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Child Abduction. The report is located here. 

Benin is not a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention), nor are there any bilateral agreements in force between Benin and the United States concerning international parental child abduction.

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country. 

Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Benin and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances. 

The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children’s Issues provides assistance in cases of international parental child abduction.  For U.S. citizen parents whose children have been wrongfully removed to or retained in countries that are not U.S. partners under the Hague Abduction Convention, the Office of Children’s Issues can provide information and resources about country-specific options for pursuing the return of or access to an abducted child.  The Office of Children’s Issues may also coordinate with appropriate foreign and U.S. government authorities about the welfare of abducted U.S. citizen children.  Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance.

Contact information:

United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's Issues
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, Floor 9
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Telephone:  1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Fax:  202-736-9132
Website: childabduction.state.gov
Email: AfricaIPCA@state.gov

Parental child abduction is not a specific crime in Benin. 

Parents may wish to consult with an attorney in the United States and in the country to which the child has been removed or retained to learn more about how filing criminal charges may impact a custody case in the foreign court.  Please see Pressing Criminal Charges for more information.

Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country.  Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Benin and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.

The Office of Children’s Issues may be able to assist parents seeking access to children who have been wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States.  Parents who are seeking access to children who were not wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States should contact the U.S. Embassy in Benin for information and possible assistance.

Neither the Office of Children’s Issues nor consular officials at the U.S. Embassy in Benin are authorized to provide legal advice.

The U.S. Embassy in Cotonou, Benin posts a list of attorneys, including those who specialize in family law.

This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the following persons or firms.  Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.

Under the laws of Benin, mediation is a possible remedy for both abduction and access cases.

Exercising Custody Rights

While travelling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. It is important for parents to understand that, although a left-behind parent in the United States may have custody or visitation rights pursuant to a U.S. custody order, that order may not be valid and enforceable in the country in which the child is located.  For this reason, we strongly encourage you to speak to a local attorney if planning to remove a child from a foreign country without the consent of the other parent.  Attempts to remove your child to the United States may:

  • Endanger your child and others;
  • Prejudice any future judicial efforts; and
  • Could result in your arrest and imprisonment.

The U.S. government cannot interfere with another country’s court or law enforcement system.

To understand the legal effect of a U.S. order in a foreign country, a parent should consult with a local attorney in the country in which the child is located.  

For information about hiring an attorney abroad, see our section on Retaining a Foreign Attorney. 

Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, most U.S. Embassies have lists of attorneys available online. Please visit the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for a full listing.

For more information on consular assistance for U.S. citizens arrested abroad, please see our website.

Country officers are available to speak with you Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  For assistance with an abduction in progress or any emergency situation that occurs after normal business hours, on weekends, or federal holidays, please call toll free at 1-888-407-4747. See all contact information.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction. 

 

Last Updated: February 3, 2021

Assistance for U.S. Citizens

U.S. Embassy Cotonou
Marina Avenue
01 BP 2012 Cotonou, Benin
Telephone
+(229) 21-30-75-00
Emergency
+(229) 21-30-75-00
Fax
+(229) 21-30-66-82
Email
ConsularCotonou@state.gov
Website
https://bj.usembassy.gov/

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