Mauritania
As of 2026, Mauritania is at a crossroads. While the government has recently intensified its legislative efforts and judicial reforms to combat its historical "shame"—hereditary slavery—international observers and local activists argue that systemic discrimination against Black Mauritanians remains deeply entrenched.
The following are the current human rights issues associated with Mauritania:
1. The Persistence of Hereditary Slavery
Mauritania was the last country in the world to abolish slavery (1981) and only criminalized it in 2007.
The Haratin Community: Descent-based slavery primarily affects the Haratin (Black Moors), who remain "owned" by the Bidhân (Arab-Berber) elite. Experts estimate thousands still live in conditions of forced labor, denial of education, and physical abuse.
New Judicial Efforts: In February 2025, the government established a Special Tribunal to Combat Slavery, Trafficking, and Smuggling to replace previous underperforming courts. In early 2026, the first hereditary slavery victims in several years were officially identified by the state.
Gap in Prosecution: Despite new laws, human rights groups (like IRA-Mauritania) note that police and judges often favor social "mediation" over criminal prosecution, allowing slaveholders to act with significant impunity.
2. Freedom of Expression and "National Symbols"
The civic space in Mauritania has tightened following the 2024 presidential elections.
The National Symbols Law: This controversial law is frequently used to arrest activists and journalists who criticize the president, Islam, or national unity. In late 2025, several individuals remained in pretrial detention for social media posts deemed "insulting to the Prophet" or harmful to "sacred principles."
Repression of Anti-Slavery Activists: Leaders of anti-slavery movements often face arbitrary arrest and the lifting of parliamentary immunity (as seen with Biram Dah Abeid) when they challenge the state's narrative on social hierarchy.
Internet Blackouts: Following the July 2024 election protests, the government implemented a 22-day mobile internet blackout, a tactic critics fear has set a precedent for future periods of unrest.
3. Women’s Rights and Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
While the government has committed to a "Planet 50-50" goal for 2030, women face severe legal and social hurdles.
Pending Legislation: A comprehensive law on violence against women and girls has been stalled in the National Assembly for years due to opposition from conservative religious leaders.
FGM/C and Child Marriage: Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting remains high, affecting approximately 64% of women aged 15–49. Child marriage is also prevalent, particularly in rural and Haratin communities.
The "Double Burden": Haratin women face "intersecting marginalization," being vulnerable to both sexual violence within traditional slave-master dynamics and systemic exclusion from the formal economy.
4. Transitional Justice and the "Passif Humanitaire"
Mauritania still struggles with the legacy of the late 80s/early 90s, when hundreds of Afro-Mauritanians were victims of summary executions and forced displacement by the state.
The 1993 Amnesty Law: This law continues to block any investigation or prosecution of those responsible for these past atrocities.
Ongoing Activism: In January 2026, during the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR), international bodies renewed calls for Mauritania to repeal the amnesty law and establish an independent Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
5. Migration and Refugee Rights
Mauritania has become a primary hub for refugees fleeing instability in neighboring Mali.
Massive Refugee Influx: By 2026, the refugee population (mostly from Mali) is expected to exceed 250,000. While the government maintains an "open-door" policy, resources are strained, leading to food insecurity and poor sanitation in camps like Mbera.
Outsourced Border Control: In late 2025, Mauritania opened two EU-funded migrant detention centers. Rights groups warn these centers lack oversight and may lead to arbitrary detention and "refoulement" (forced return) of asylum seekers.
6. Prison Conditions and Torture
Overcrowding: Mauritanian prisons are notorious for life-threatening conditions, including extreme heat, lack of medical care, and food shortages.
Custody without Counsel: Counter-terrorism laws allow for up to 45 days of custody without judicial oversight or access to a lawyer, creating high risks for torture and ill-treatment during interrogations.