NOUAKCHOTT (13 May 2022) – 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...
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