written response of the Government on the matter. The Chairperson also emphasized the necessity for Mauritania to submit its outstanding Periodic Reports to the African Commission. iii. Meeting with the Chairperson and Members of the National Human Rights Commission, 26 March 2012 32. The Delegation visited the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), a body established to create an enabling environment for the promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights in Mauritania. They were received by the Chairperson of the NHRC, Mr. Bamariam Baba Koita, and other members of the Commission. Mr Bamariam Koita introduced members of the Commission and pointed out that the Commission has Affiliate Status with the African Commission and an ‘A’ status at the level of the UN. He also informed the delegation that the Commission has been presenting all its reports. He recalled that the NHRC has a specific torture prevention mandate since the law establishing it empowers the Commission to undertake unannounced visits to places of detention and report on its findings. He stated that the Commission has also been advocating for the ratification and implementation of international human rights instruments such as the OPCAT. He expressed the hope that the Commission would assume the role of National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) when the OPCAT is finally ratified, and the fact that the NHRC conforms to the Paris Principles. 33. The Chairperson of the CPTA thanked the members and Chairperson of the Commission for finding time to meet with the CPTA and stated that the delegation was at ease because the NHRC does similar work like the CPTA, albeit in different contexts. She outlined the objectives of the mission, introduced the CPTA and the RIG and stated that the CPTA is essentially concerned with how independent the NHRI is. In that regard, she requested for information on the mode of appointment of members of the Commission, its mandate especially as it relates to visiting places of detention and how it treats cases of torture brought to its attention. She also raised concerns about alleged existence of secret places of detention in Mauritania, as well as the fact that torture is still to be criminalized. She requested the Commission to engage with the Government to make sure that legislation on this very important issue is passed as soon as possible. The Chairperson also raised questions on the current situation of the fight against slavery, the practical application of the anti-slavery law and the provision of legal aid to victims of slavery. 34. In his contribution to the discussion, the Vice-Chairperson, sought to know whether any specific changes had been foreseen in the mandate of the 14 | P a g e