The world of human rights in West Africa has lost one of its pillars. The Regional Office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Dakar (OHCHR-ROW) announced with regret the death of Mr. Benjamin Hounton, which occurred on Monday, December 29, 2025 in Dakar, following a short illness.

Mr. Benjamin Hounton was serving as Deputy Regional Representative of the OHCHR-BRAO at the time of his passing. A key figure in the organization's history, he was one of its pioneers in Senegal. His commitment, spanning more than two decades, led him to serve with dedication in several strategic countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritania, the Central African Republic, and Senegal. His colleagues remember him as a loyal and deeply humane man, with an unwavering commitment to the cause of human rights.

To honor the memory of the man whom many considered a pillar of the community, a memorial service will be held this Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. at the OHCHR office in Almadies, Dakar. To allow as many people as possible to participate in this moment of remembrance, the ceremony will be accessible in a hybrid format via a link sent to partners and collaborators. A book of condolences will also be available for messages of sympathy.

Following this tribute in Senegal, Mr. Hounton's remains will be transferred to Benin, his country of origin. The funeral and burial will take place there on January 7, 2026.

The OHCHR-BRAO expressed its sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased, stressing that this loss is a tremendous loss for the entire international human rights community.