62. On detention condition conditions, Mr. Akpovo said some progress has also been registered, but that detention conditions falls far below international standards. He also spoke about disturbing reports of allegations of torture and ill treatment of detainees especially in police stations, which have been brought to his attention. In conclusion he stated that there is a lot that the African Commission can do to help with the enormous challenges facing the country. x. Meeting with the Minister of Justice, 28 March 2012 63. The delegation met with the Minister of Justice, Maitre Abidine ould Khair, on 28 March 2012, at the Ministry of Justice in Nouakchott. Also present at this meeting were other senior members of the Ministry of Justice. After the exchange of courtesies, the Chairperson Particularly expressed the gratitude of the African Commission to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania for accepting the Mission to be conducted. She informed the Honourable Minister the reasons why the CPTA was in Mauritania. She then proceeded to give a brief explanation of the African Commission and the special role of the CPTA in relation to the Ministry of Justice. 64. Maitre Abidine welcomed the delegation and outlined the measures taken by his ministry to promote and protect human rights. He stated that since the new regime came to power, a lot has changed in the human rights landscape even though a lot remains to be done. According to him, Mauritania has taken a definite and irreversible path towards entrenching democracy and efforts for the separation of powers, the independence of the judiciary, respect for human rights, fairness, justice and equality are being made. He stated that as a Muslim community, human rights are deeply rooted in Mauritanian society and torture is abhorred. Maitre Abidine stated that through the tireless efforts of his Ministry a National Human Rights Commission has now been established with wide powers to promote and protect human rights and carry out unannounced visits to places of detention. 65. Maitre Abidine underscored that Mauritaniaas a country does not accept torture, the reason why it has adhered to the relevant regional and international human rights instruments that prevents torture. He informed the delegation that in January 2012 Mauritania submitted its Initial Report under the Convention Against Torture, signed the OPCAT and was in the process of finalizing the formalities of ratification. He outlined a number of measures taken to improve conditions of detention such as the construction of new prisons in the interior of the country and the construction of a clinic and pharmacy at the Da Naim Prison in Nouakchott, as well as the construction of facilities for female and juvenile detainees. He said the Da Naim prison used to be very overcrowded, but the 23 | P a g e