Mauritania

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Mauritania
130 articles
Mauritanians read newspapers on a main street in Nouakchott, Mauritania, 4 June 2009, GEORGES GOBET/AFP/Getty Images

Newspaper crisis in Mauritania highlights media freedom issues and link to declining economy

The newspaper crisis in Mauritania highlights media freedom and sustainability issues in the country.

Anti-slavery activists hold a banner which reads 'Mauritania: No to slavery and racism', during a demonstration in Dakar, Senegal, 3 August 2016, SEYLLOU/AFP/Getty Images

Mauritania deports freelance photojournalist investigating slavery

Mauritanian authorities arrested photojournalist Seif Kousmate earlier this month claiming he was a suspected terrorist. They also cited “his activism in support of the cause of the descendants of slaves,” before they deported him.

Near Nouadhibou Cap-Blanc shipwreck, Mauritania, 24 March 2013, Flickr/Jbdodane (CC BY-NC 2.0)

From death sentence to freedom: Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mohamed

Only a week after crowds were still calling for his execution in street protests, a Mauritanian blogger sentenced to death in 2014 for “blaspheming” the Prophet is finally freed.

Mauritanians queue to vote in a referendum on whether to amend their constitution in the capital Nouakchott, 25 June 2006, REUTERS/Jon Shadid

Mauritania cracks down on critical press after referendum

The Mauritanian Radio and Television Broadcast Authority ordered Mauritania’s five privately owned news stations to shut down for “failing to fulfil their financial agreements” with the country’s broadcast regulator.

Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz speaks during the closing session ofÊSudan's National Dialogue at the Friendship Hall in Khartoum, Sudan, 10 October 2016,  REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

When fighting a caste system is a matter of life and death

Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mohamed faces the death penalty following a conviction on blasphemy charges.

A Mauritanian man sells a bag of charcoal in the Keube slum in the capital Nouakchott in this March 13, 2007 picture. , REUTERS/Finbarr O'Reilly

Slavery is the president’s business

A talk with Freedom House brings light to why so many anti-slavery activists are harassed and jailed in Mauritania.

Link to: Anti-slavery activists arrested in Mauritania, others missing

Anti-slavery activists arrested in Mauritania, others missing

Diop Amatidjane, third vice president of IRA-Mauritania, was arrested June 30 by police at his home. Police also arrested Balla Touré, external relations officer. The whereabouts of Amatidjane and Touré along with four other IRA members remain unknown.

President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania and his wife Lady Tekber Mint Melainine Ould Ahmed wave on the North Portico of the White House in Washington, 5 August 2014, AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Newscaster dismissed for mispronouncing Mauritanian First Lady’s name

On 26 May 2016, a Mauritanian journalist was summarily dismissed from his post for mispronouncing the name of the wife of President Mohammed Ould Abdoul Aziz.

Mauritanians ex-slaves walk in a suburb outside Mauritania's capital Nouakchott, 21 November 2006, REUTERS/Rafael Marchante

Mauritania frees two anti-slavery campaigners

“Civil society plays a crucial role in eradicating slavery in Mauritania, a role the government of Mauritania should recognize by releasing all other activists imprisoned for advancing the cause of equal rights.”

Men run from tear gas fired by police during an anti-slavery demonstration to demand the liberation of imprisoned abolitionist leader Biram Ould Abeid in Nouakchott, Mauritania 26 May 2012,  REUTERS/Joe Penney

Mauritania must enable the dissemination of information about modern slavery

In light of attacks on anti-slavery demonstrators and journalists covering slavery issues, including instances of self-censorship, over the last five years, the MFWA demands Mauritania to reform its stance on free expression rights.

A man runs from tear gas fired by police during an anti-slavery demonstration to demand the liberation of imprisoned abolitionist leader Biram Ould Abeid in Nouakchott, 26 May 2012, REUTERS/Joe Penney

Court upholds imprisonment of anti-slavery activists in Mauritania

“It is the height of hypocrisy for the court in Mauritania to reaffirm these sentences against anti-slavery activists the same week that the government strengthened its laws against slavery.”

Link to: Mauritania: Release Mohamed Mkhaïtir, blogger sentenced to death for apostasy

Mauritania: Release Mohamed Mkhaïtir, blogger sentenced to death for apostasy

During his trial, the judge told Mohamed Mkhaïtir that he was accused of apostasy for “speaking lightly” of the Prophet Mohamed. This is the first death sentence imposed in Mauritania for apostasy since independence in 1960.

Link to: Mauritanian court finds anti-slavery activists guilty in political trial

Mauritanian court finds anti-slavery activists guilty in political trial

Biram Dah Abeid, president of anti-slavery organization Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement in Mauritania (IRA); Brahim Bilal Ramdhane, IRA’s vice president; and Djiby Sow, president of the non-governmental organization Kawtal, have been sentenced to two years imprisonment by a Mauritanian court.

Link to: In Mauritania, blogger sentenced to death for apostasy

In Mauritania, blogger sentenced to death for apostasy

Mauritanian blogger Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mohamed was arrested on January 2, 2014, for his December 31, 2013, article, called “Religion, religiosity and craftsmen,” which criticized Mauritania’s caste system.

Mauritanian anti-slavery protesters march to demand the liberation of imprisoned abolitionist leader Biram Ould Abeid in Nouakchott, 26 May 2012, REUTERS/Joe Penney

An interview with recently imprisoned Mauritanian anti-slavery activist

On 11 November 2014, Biram Dab Abeid was beaten and arrested for his participation in an anti-slavery protest and remains imprisoned today. Freedom House interviewed Biram in December 2013. He discussed the dire situation surrounding slavery in Mauritania, which has the highest incidence of slavery in the world.

Link to: Mauritania anti-slavery activists arrested

Mauritania anti-slavery activists arrested

“Freedom House calls on the Mauritanian authorities to release Biram Dah Abeid and all other activists who were arrested during their peaceful anti-slavery advocacy,” said Jenai Cox, program manager for Africa programs at Freedom House.