Country: Mauritania

The human rights situation in Mauritania is marked by violations to fundamental rights and freedoms including the rights of detainees as well as the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly. Individuals are prosecuted for peaceful dissent and criticism of the state and its representatives on a regular basis, and journalists and human rights activists are subjected to police abuse, judicial harassment and arbitrary detention.

Mauritania was the last country worldwide to officially abolish slavery in 1981, and the practice was only criminalised in 2007. While the authorities affirm that the practice no longer exists, anti-slavery activists regularly document cases of slavery in some parts of the country, and are subjected to reprisals for their activism.

Accountability for present and past abuses committed by the military and law enforcement agents remains of concern. In terms of torture prevention, the government has passed legislation in line with international standards, but generally it is not implemented due to a lack of resources and political will. In recent years, national human rights institutions have been established, but their impact remains marginal due to a lack of independence. As a result, torture remains widespread in the country, particularly in the context of counter-terrorism.

Detention of Mauritanian abolitionist MP Ghame Salem

Ghame Achour Salem is a Mauritanian member of parliament who has been actively involved with the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA). She is a leading advocate for the human rights and dignity of indigenous peoples of African descent. On the evening of April 9, 2026, the abolitionist MP Mariem Dieng hosted […]

Arrestation de la députée abolitionniste mauritanienne Mariem Dieng avec son nourrisson

Mariem Cheikh Samba Dieng est une députée mauritanienne, engagée auprès de l’Initiative de Résurgence du Mouvement Abolitioniste (IRA) depuis de nombreuses années. C’est une figure engagée dans la défense des droits humains et de la dignité des populations autochtones d’ascendance africaine. Dans la soirée du 9 avril 2026, Mariem Dieng a organisé un “live” sur […]

Arrest of Mauritanian abolitionist MP Mariem Dieng and her infant child

Mariem Cheikh Samba Dieng is a Mauritanian member of parliament who has been actively involved with the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA) for many years. She is a leading advocate for the human rights and dignity of indigenous peoples of African descent. On the evening of April 9, 2026, Mariem Dieng […]

L’Examen périodique universel met en lumière des préoccupations persistantes en matière de droits fondamentaux en Mauritanie

Lors de son quatrième Examen Périodique Universel (EPU) le 20 janvier 2026, la Mauritanie a reçu 271 recommandations des États membres de l’ONU sur des questions incluant la torture et autres mauvais traitements en détention, le droit à la liberté d’expression, et le droit à la vérité pour les violations commises lors du « Passif […]

Universal Periodic Review exposes persistent human rights concerns in Mauritania

During its fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on January 20, 2026, Mauritania received 271 recommendations from UN Member States on issues including torture and other ill-treatment in detention, the right to freedom of expression, and the right to truth for the violations committed during the “Passif humanitaire”.

Examen périodique universel de la Mauritanie : rapport au Conseil des droits de l’homme des Nations unies

Introduction Dans cette soumission, MENA Rights Group et l’Alliance des Orphelins Mauritaniens met en lumière les principales préoccupations en matière de droits humains en Mauritanie dans le cadre de son quatrième Examen périodique universel (EPU). Le rapport s’articule autour de trois axes principaux : (1) les restrictions persistantes à la liberté d’opinion et d’expression, notamment […]

Universal Periodic Review of Mauritania: report to the UN Human Rights Council

1. Introduction In this submission, MENA Rights Group and the Orphans of Mauritania Alliance shed light on the main human rights concern in Mauritania as part of their Universal Period Review (UPR). The report is structures around three main themes : (1) the persisting restrictions against freedom of opinion and expression, especially through imprecise and […]

Passif humanitaire: des ONG exhortent le commissaire mauritanien aux droits de l’homme à mettre en œuvre les recommandations de l’ONU

MENA Rights Group, des organisations de défense des droits humains mauritaniennes, et des collectifs de victimes et ayants droit, ont rappelé dans une lettre adressée au Commissaire aux Droits de l’Homme et à l’Action Humanitaire et aux Relations avec la Société Civile, M. Sid’Ahmed Ould Benane, l’importance de mettre en œuvre les recommandations formulées par […]

Vérité et justice pour Abdoulaye Tambadou, disparu lors du Passif Humanitaire

Abdoulaye Tambadou, alors lieutenant au sein de la marine mauritanienne, a été arrêté au sein de la base navale de Nouadhibou le 19 novembre 1990. Après recoupement, le soir même, lui et d’autres prisonniers auraient été transférés à la garnison d’Inal où il a été soumis à des actes de torture selon des témoignages concordants. […]

Truth and justice for Abdoulaye Tambadou, who disappeared during Mauritania’s Passif humanitaire

Abdoulaye Tambadou, then a lieutenant in the Mauritanian navy, was arrested at the Nouadhibou naval base on November 19, 1990. Based on corroborating evidence, the same evening, he and other prisoners were transferred to the Inal garrison where he was subjected to acts of torture according to consistent testimonies. The chains restraining him would have […]