ADONON
Sêmèdé Chrystelle Cédrine
Judge, Republic of Bénin
Candidate for the Committee on the Rights of the Child, Mandate from 1st March 2025 to 28th February 2029
ADONON Sêmèdé Chrystelle Cédrine
Judge, Republic of Bénin
Candidate for the Committee on the Rights of the Child, Mandate from 1st March 2025 to 28th February 2029
Presiding Judge of the Chamber with Jurisdiction on Sexual Offences Against Minors Below Thirteen (13), at the Court dedicated to economic offences and terrorism (CRIET).
United Nations working languages:
Since August 2022, I have been presiding over the Chamber which has jurisdiction for (i) sexual violence against children below thirteen (13); (ii) forced or early marriage; and (iii) harassment by teachers against learners.
Tribunal in Allada. I handled family issues related to children, with continuous support from the Social Services.
I collaborated with a colleague for UNICEF Bénin to establish a child-friendly environment at the court, and trained other judges in the same practices.
Tribunal of Abomey-Calavi. I developed a comprehensive program to assist minors in conflict with the law, with the support of a network of various stakeholders for their reinsertion. I also assisted minors who were victims of violence in their recovery. This experience inspired further pursuit of expertise in the field of children’s rights.
Master of Advanced Studies in Children’s Rights (in progress), University of Geneva
2024
Postgraduate Diploma in Private Law, Université d’Abomey Calavi
2020
Certificate of Success, 46th Annual Session: Children and International Human Rights Law, International Institute of Human Rights
2015
Magistrate Diploma, École Nationale d’Administration et de Magistrature
2009
Master in Business Law, Concentration: Legal Practice, Université d’Abomey Calavi
2005
Various trainings both nationally and internationally in relevant areas of legal practice including children’s rights.
2024
Dissertation (in progress): The Testimony of a Child in Judicial Practice in Bénin.
2021
Paper: Child Participation in Family and Child Protection Matters in Bénin, Published by AIMJF.
2020
Dissertation: The Legal Value of the Testimony of a Child in Civil Proceedings in République du Bénin.
2017
Brochure: The Role and Function of the Stakeholders of the Protection of Children in the Code de l’Enfant in République du Bénin, commissioned by WBI, Wallonie Bruxelles International
2009
Dissertation: The Effective Enforcement of Education Related Measures Before the Tribunal for Youth in Bénin
Finally, as a judge, I issue hundreds of decisions on the merit each year, contributing significantly to the field of juvenile justice.