Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in Mauritania

We the participants at the Forum on the Participation of NGOs in the 32^nd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights and the 6^th Human Rights Book Fair held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel in Banjul, from October 14^th-16^th, 2002,

Considering the persistence of human rights violations in Mauritania

Concerned by the arbitrary arrests, disappearances, torture, harassment of human rights defenders, political leaders and journalists;

Concerned by the interference of the Executive in the work of the Judiciary and the Bar especially during the recent Bar elections in June 2002;

Recalling the negative impact of the massive and unpunished violations suffered by ‘Black Mauritanians’ between 1986 and 1991;

Recalling the Decision adopted by the African Commission on the complaints against Mauritania in May 2000, recommending to the Mauritanian State, among other measures, to take effective steps to ensure the total and final eradication of slave-like practices, the return of Mauritanian deportees/refugees, the compensation of all the families of victims of the extra-judicial executions of 1990-91;

Recalling that slavery has been recognised as a crime against humanity and that it continues to be practised in Mauritania;

Call upon the African Commission:

to order a special fact finding mission to evaluate the practice of slavery in Mauritania;
to ensure the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Algiers 2000 communication;
to take any appropriate measures to protect human rights defenders in Mauritania;
to urge Mauritania to totally eradicate slavery and all other debasing and degrading practices;

Done in Banjul, The Gambia 16^th October 2002