The Government of Mauritania reports 104 cases of slavery in the country

June 17 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Government of Mauritania has reported this Friday at least 104 cases of slavery, human trafficking and migrant smuggling in the midst of a government campaign to end this practice.

The data was communicated at a press conference by the Commissioner for Human Rights, Humanitarian Action and Relations with Civil Society, Cheij Ahmedou Uld Ahmed Salem Uld Sidi, has collected the Mauritanian news portal Cridem.

A report from the United States Department of State cited by Cridem acknowledges the “efforts” of the Government to “promote and protect rights and freedoms” in the country, although it also reports that “the country does not meet the minimum standards for the eradication of human trafficking.”

The UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Tomoya Obokata, visited the country last May and assured that there is “progress in strengthening Mauritania’s legal framework” and welcomed the “political will” to combat slavery. slavery, although he also warned that the authorities still have a lot of work to do.

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