Mauritania

Abdallahi Matalaa Seck on the left and Moussa Ould Bilal Biram on the right have been in prison for more than 555 days. The government plans to keep them there for another 555 days.

Slavery used to happen in many countries. It took many years for people to realize how wrong it is to own other people, just like you would own a coat, or a sled, or a dog.

Sadly, slavery still happens in the African country of Mauritania even though it is against the law. Whole families still belong to their masters and are forced to serve their owners all their lives.

Two of the people in Mauritania who think that is wrong are in prison for campaigning against slavery. Their names are Abdallahi Matalaa Seck and Moussa Biram. Both were born free but their ancestors were slaves. 

Abdallahi and Moussa always used peaceful activities to tell others how wrong slavery is and how everyone should be treated equally. Amnesty International thinks it is wrong to put anyone in prison who acts in a peaceful way.

Mauritania must immediately and unconditionally release human rights defender Mohamed Mkhaïtir, who has been sentenced to death for criticizing the use of Islam to justify discriminatory practices against minority ethnic groups in the country, Amnesty International said ahead of his appeal trial.

The case of Mohamed Mkhaïtir, who was sentenced to death in December 2014 for a “blasphemous” post he made on Facebook, will be heard for a second time by an appeal court in the north-western town of Nouadhibou tomorrow.

“This case is absurd and represents a real setback for freedom of expression in a country that has not imposed punishment for apostasy in more than 50 years of independence,” said Kiné-Fatim Diop, Amnesty International’s West Africa Campaigner.

“Mohamed Mkhaïtir is a prisoner of conscience who has been in detention for three years solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression and standing-up against discrimination. His scandalous death sentence must be quashed and he should be immediately and unconditionally released.”

Authorities in Mauritania must drop all charges and immediately and unconditionally release 13 anti-slavery activists arbitrarily detained in an attempt to intimidate and silence human rights defenders, Amnesty International and 16 other civil society organisations said today. 

The activists will appear before a court on 3 August in the capital Nouakchott accused of rebellion, use of violence, attack against public authority, armed assembly and membership of an unrecognised organization. If convicted, they face a fine and a jail term of up to two years.

“These activists are prisoners of conscience who have been falsely accused and are behind bars in order to impede their legitimate work. They have been targeted persistently for their views and must be released immediately and unconditionally,” said Kiné Fatim Diop Amnesty International West Africa Campaigner.  

“The long-time persecution has no legal justification. The authorities must end their rule of fear and repression on anti-slavery activists.”

The harsh sentence upheld this evening against a prominent anti-slavery activist is a clear indication that Mauritania has no intention of letting up on its crackdown on human rights defenders, Amnesty International said today.

An appeal court in the south-western town of Aleg has confirmed the two year sentence after convicting former presidential candidate Biram Ould Dah Ould Abeid, Brahim Bilal and Djiby Sow of membership in an unrecognized organization, taking part in an unauthorized assembly, failing to comply with police orders and resisting arrest.  

“It is revolting that this unjust and harsh sentence has been upheld. All three of them have been detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their rights and are therefore prisoners of conscience who must be released immediately and unconditionally,” said Alioune Tine, Amnesty International Regional Director for West and Central Africa.

The Mauritanian authorities must stop the harassment, intimidation and repression of anti-slavery activists, Amnesty International said today following the arrest of a number of high-profile campaigners.

At least nine people including Biram Ould Dah Ould Abeid, President of the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA) and runner-up in June’s Presidential election, were arrested on 11 November and are being held in different detention centres in the southern city of Rosso, without family visits.

Others arrested include Djiby Sow, President of the NGO Kawtal and Brahim Bilal Ramdhane, Vice President of the IRA.

All of those arrested represent non-governmental human rights organizations that actively campaign against slavery in Mauritania. Over the last week they have been travelling across the country organizing rallies, public meetings and lectures. This was halted yesterday in the southern town of Rosso, when a police unit was sent to stop the meeting, citing the absence of any authorization documents. The IRA had sent a request but the government refused it in a written statement.

Amnesty International has confirmed that Aaron Yoon was released from prison in Mauritania on July 23, 2013 and remains in that country at this time. 

While it is expected that he will return to Canada in the near future, Amnesty International has no further details as to when or how that will occur.

A Mauritanian appeal court ruled on Sunday 14 July that Aaron Yoon, a Canadian from London, Ontario should be released from prison.

Mauritanian officials had launched the appeal seeking to have Aaron Yoon’s 2-year sentence increased to ten years. The court instead reportedly reduced his sentence to 18 months, noting that he has now served that amount of time and should be released from prison.

For further information contact John Tackaberry, Media Relations               

(613)744-7667 #236 jtackaberry@amnesty.ca