proof of its independence. Commenting on prison conditions, he said the situation has improved considerably in the last two years especially at the Da Naim prison that was previously known for its overcrowding, disease and deplorable hygienic conditions. He stated that presently, the general prison population is very low, as the Government has embarked upon building new prisons with recreational and medical facilities. He agreed that a lot remains to be done especially the high percentage of pre-trial detainees and the incarceration of minors and adults in the same facilities. He further stated that the where men guard women prisoners is not acceptable. 39. Mr. Baba Koita informed the delegation that when the Commission is seized with an allegation of torture or slavery, it conducts a preliminary investigation and brings its findings to the attention of the authorities, which then deal with the issue. He pointed out that the NHRC has been advocating for the criminalization of torture and was in collaboration with APT organizing a seminar in that regards. On the ratification of OPCAT, he informed the delegation that the Commission is campaigning for its ratification. He informed the delegation that Mauritania has presented its initial Report to the Committee Against Torture (CAT), with the Commission submitting a Shadow Report to the CAT as well. He further informed the delegation that a new constitutional amendment has expressly prohibited torture as a crime against humanity. 40. On slavery, Mr. Koita stated that there have been numerous public debates on the issue and the judiciary has lived up to its responsibility by prosecuting and punishing offenders. He stated that the new Constitution expressly prohibits slavery as a crime against humanity - a proof of the Government’s determination to eradicate the ill. He informed the delegation that the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery had visited Mauritania in March 2012 recommended that NGOs should be allowed to constitute civil parties in cases of slavery, a conclusion which he said the Commission fully subscribed to. 41. Concluding the meeting, the Chairperson of the CPTA thanked the members of the NHRI for meeting the African Commission delegation. She expressed the hope that members of the Commission would continue working towards the improvement of detention conditions and the complete eradication of slavery and torture by advocating for the criminalization of torture and the practical application of the law against slavery. She also emphasized the need for the Commission to push for the implementation of the recommendation of the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery. She also expressed the hope that Mauritania would be able to submit its outstanding human rights report soon. 16 | P a g e