Mauritania: UN expert encouraged by progress but says more work needed to fully eradicate slavery – African Business

A UN human rights expert today welcomed progress in strengthening Mauritania’s legal framework and building the political will to combat slavery, but cautioned that much work still lay ahead.

At the end of a 10-day visit to the country, Tomoya Obokata, the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, called on the authorities to take urgent measures to step up implementation of Mauritania’s anti-slavery legislation and to address practical, legal, and social obstacles for people affected by slavery to seek justice and achieve equality.

“I am grateful to the Government for welcoming my visit, and for the cooperation extended to my mandate by the highest levels of authorities, including the President of the country,” Obokata said in a statement. “I was encouraged by the President’s acknowledgement during our meeting that denial of slavery is not the right approach, and his stated commitment to ending slavery, bringing perpetrators to justice, and fostering the social and economic inclusion of former enslaved persons.”

“Since the last visit of my mandate in 2014, Mauritania has taken important steps to combat slavery and there is a greater willingness to discuss slavery issues openly,” said Obokata.“The adoption of Law 2015-031 criminalizing slavery and slavery-like practices addressed many of the gaps in Mauritania’s previous anti-slavery legislation. I am also encouraged by efforts undertaken by the Government to raise awareness of the law among legal practitioners, judicial police, security forces, civil society, and the general public.”

Nevertheless, Obokata cautioned that descent-based and contemporary forms of slavery continue to exist in Mauritania, within and among all of the country’s major ethnic groups as well as between certain groups. “Chattel slavery persists in Mauritania, despite denial of the practice in some quarters,” he said.

“Enslaved persons, particularly women and children, are subject to violence and abuse, including sexual violence, and are treated as property. Caste-based slavery is also a problem. Persons from repressed groups who challenge their status as slaves face violent reprisals and denials of basic services by dominant castes.

“Child labour remains a concern, particularly the practice of forced begging, and forced labour practices are common in Mauritania’s informal sector, impacting migrants as well as Mauritanian nationals.”

Obokata observed that full enforcement of Mauritania’s anti-slavery legislation remained elusive, and called for redoubled efforts towards full implementation of the country’s anti-slavery legal framework and address deep-rooted social practices.

“The continued existence of slavery and other slavery-like practices in Mauritania regrettably demonstrates that relevant laws are not enforced in practice and that a social transformation and a change in the mindset of the country’s leaders is needed in order to fully recognize and address slavery instead of denying its existence,” said Obokata.

“Further effort is needed to ensure slavery complaints are investigated and judged within a timely manner, that victims of slavery are made aware of their rights and able to effectively access complaint mechanisms, as well as given protection and assistance, and that penalties are fully applied.”

Obokata also received reports that enslaved persons and their descendants faced challenges enrolling in Mauritania’s civil registry, a prerequisite for access to education, formal employment, and basic services.

“Without access to formal employment and education, victims of slavery and their children have no viable pathways out of slavery, and remain trapped in a vicious circle of dependence on their enslavers or exploitative forms of work,” Obokata said. “It is imperative that the Government address these communities’ obstacles to civil registration.”

Obokata also met with the President of Islamic Republic of Mauritania Mr. Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani as well as the Prime Minister Mr. Mohamed Ould Bilal Messoud and other government officials. He also met with civil society, worker’s associations, the diplomatic community and the UN, as well as human rights defenders, victims of slavery, and migrants. He also met with Nouakchott, Nouadhibou.

The Special Rapporteur’s report on the visit will be presented to the Human Rights Council in September 2023.

Distributed by APO Group, Office of the UN Haut Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).