continue pursuing the matter with Government to submit its Report and she
expects that Government will consult and work with NGOs in the preparation of
the report. She also informed the NGOs that the African Commission is willing
to provide assistance to governments in training on reporting where requested
and has even provided guidelines to assist Member States in drafting reports.
101.
The Chairperson thanked the representatives for their engagement with
the delegation and promised to bring the issues raised to the attention of the
authorities.
xiv.
Debriefing Session with Commissioner for Human Rights, Humanitarian
Action and Relations with Civil Society, 31 March 2012
102.
The delegation held a debriefing session with the Commissioner for
Human Rights, Humanitarian Action, and Relations with Civil Society, Hon.
Mohamed Abdellahi ould Khattra and officials from the Ministry of Human
Rights. The Vice-Chairperson led the debriefing and updated the Commissioner
on the preliminary findings of the delegation, outlining the positive measures
identified by the delegation relating to issues on the fight against torture, slavery
and conditions of detention; the areas where the delegation had concerns and
some recommendations.
103.
The very few places of detention visited, the delegation informed Hon.
Mohamed Abdellahi ould Khattra that they observed a willingness by the
Government to ensure the enjoyment of human rights of persons deprived of
their liberty. In that regard, there is a noticeable shift from a purely custodial and
punitive approach to a rehabilitative policy for persons who come in conflict
with the law.
104.
The Commissioner reiterated the political will and determination of the
Government to promote and protect the rights of its citizens and its resolve to
fight slavery, improve prisons conditions and ensure that all Mauritanians live in
dignity. He stated that a lot of progress had been made in this respect within the
past two years and stressed that many of the problems that Mauritania faces
today are a legacy of the socio-economic situation and history of the country;
which legacy, he said the Government has decided to fully assume. He assured
the delegation that its concerns had been noted and emphasized that all
necessary measures will be taken to give effect to the recommendations ensuing
from the Mission.
Press Conference
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