Overview of Human Rights in Mauritania

On August 3, 2005, President Maaouiya Ould Sid’Ahmed Taya was overthrown in a bloodless coup and Colonel Ely Ould Mohammed Fal established the ruling Military Council for Justice and Democracy (MCJD). The council has appointed a transitional government and phased elections began in 2006.

The fact that Mauritania is moving in the direction of democratic elections does not mitigate its poor human rights record.  Indeed, the poor human rights situation in Mauritaniais not helped by a variety of environmental, societal, and economic factors. Drought, desertification, flooding, locust invasion, widespread poverty, high rates of unemployment, rapid urbanization without proper infrastructure, and a very high foreign debt, are all factors negatively impacting the ability to focus, let alone improve, the human rights situation in Mauritania.

The government, judiciary, and security forces all suffer from corruption and lack of transparency. Impunity and lack of access to government information also present challenges. The judiciary is externally influenced by the executive branch. The government also limits the freedoms of speech, assembly, association, press, and religion. It also refuses to recognize many nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and human rights organizations.

Prison conditions are harsh and often life threatening. Arbitrary arrest and detention and illegal searches of homes and property are also actions taken by the security forces.

Ethnic and racial tensions, as well as slavery in the form of involuntary servitude, persist throughout the nation. Trafficking in persons and child labor are also human rights abuses perpetrated in Mauritania.

Human Development Index (HDI) Rank:

153rd out of 177

Note: Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures the level of well-being of nations in the world. It uses factors such as poverty, literacy, life-expectancy, education, gross domestic product, and purchasing power parity to assess the average achievements in each nation. It has been used in the United Nation’s Human Development Report since 1993.