Open Society Justice Initiative Hails Mauritania's New Antislavery Law

NEW YORK—The Open Society Justice Initiative today hailed the Mauritanian National Assembly's passage of a new antislavery bill, but noted that it contains weaknesses that could undermine enforcement efforts.

The bill explicitly outlaws slavery and related practices, such as the sexual exploitation of female slaves, and provides up to 10 years in prison as the punishment for slave owners. It is estimated that there are currently 500,000 slaves in Mauritania.

The national assembly unanimously approved the bill earlier this month, and it now goes to the senate. The bill was introduced by the new government of President Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdellahi, who is expected to sign it into law if, as anticipated, it wins approval in the senate. The senate is expected to take up the bill in November.

The bill's passage marks a dramatic break from Mauritania's past. Although slavery is widely practiced in the country, previous governments denied its existence. The Adbellahi government's willingness to address the issue—as well as its efforts to repatriate approximately 25,000 Mauritanians forced into exile in 1989—gives reason to hope the country is entering a new era of respect for human rights.

"This is an important step in the right direction for Mauritania," said Robert O. Varenik, acting executive director of the Open Society Justice Initiative. "But more work is needed to ensure there are both effective preventive measures and adequate remedies against slavery and discrimination."

While lauding the bill, the Justice Initiative noted critical shortcomings: the bill addresses only the individual criminal liability of slaveholders and fails to address slavery-related practices and discrimination. The Justice Initiative called for supplemental legislation to: recognize the problem of discrimination related to slavery; provide an individual, civil cause of action for victims of slavery and discrimination; and establish a national monitoring and enforcement body focused on slavery and discrimination.

The Justice Initiative provided advice and expertise in antidiscrimination law to a coalition of Mauritanian nongovernmental organization, including SOS Esclaves, which consulted with the Adbellahi government on the bill.