The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) has gathered recent news and first-hand information about the current developments in Mauritania. Between 30 June and 3 July 2016, the Mauritanian Government arrested thirteen anti-slavery activists following riots in an underprivileged area of Nouakchott which the government attributes to IRA-Mauritania members (Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement) without proof. The thirteen activists have been sentenced to between 3 and 15 years in prison following an irregular trial.

The current developments are particularly worrying due to the wide presence of modern-day slavery in Mauritania. According to the recently-published 2016 Global Slavery Index, there are over 43,000 people trapped in modern slavery in the country, accounting for over 1 percent of the entire population. This makes Mauritania the country with the highest prevalence of slavery in the world. Despite outlawing slavery three times and making it a criminal offence in 2007, the Mauritanian Government has failed to genuinely tackle the problem.

Biram Dah Abeid, the President of IRA-Mauritania, was previously arrested in 2010 and 2012. He received the death sentence in 2012 for burning the “Abrégé de Khalil” (a non-sacred interpretation of Islam). Despite harassment by the authorities, he has been widely recognized by the international community for his brave campaigning. In 2013, he was awarded both the UN Human Rights Prize and the Front Line Defenders Award. Furthermore, he was arrested again during a peaceful protest march in November 2014, only a few months after coming second in Mauritania’s Presidential Election, and sentenced to 2 years of imprisonment. He was released after 20 months in May 2016.

Following the alarming circumstances and reports of the torture of some imprisoned anti-slavery campaigners, UNPO wishes to draw attention to the ongoing situation in Mauritania. It calls for the immediate and unconditional release of imprisoned anti-slavery activists and for the Mauritanian authorities to stop their current clampdown on the anti-slavery movement (please click here for our Press Release).

Timeline of Events:

7 february 2019

Biram dah Abeid, anti-slavery activist, awarded an honorary doctorate by the Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven) for his lead in the anti-slavery campaign in Mauritania.

31 January 2019

Biram Dah Abeid, anti-slavery activist, is finally free after 146 days spent in prison. The South-Nouakchott Court condemned Biram Dah Abeid and another activist, Abadallah Husseyn Messoud to 6 months of imprisonment but both were free in the evening.

2 December 2018

On this United nations International Day for te Abolition of Slavery, IRA Latin America gathered peacefully in Sao Paolo, Brazil, in favour of Biram dah Abeid's freedom and to protest against Mauritania's slavery society.

30 Novembre 2018

IRA Mauritania publishes a press release to commemorate the adoption of the Convention for the suppression of the traffic in persons and of the exploitation of the prostitution of others. IRA urges Mauritania's partners, including European Union, to adres the slavery issues occuring in Mauritania.

14 November 2018

The United States Government has made it clear that in order for Mauritania to be eligible of AGOA and have trade benefits, that it must eradicate force labour and slavery. Despite criminalising slavery in 2007, Mauritania has yet to implement such legislation in practise.

24 October 2018

UNPO and IRA Mauritania express their concern regarding the recent economic agreement between the European Union and the Mauritania and urge the European Union to stop supporting the dictatorship and racial discrimination in the Country through commercial means.

18 October 2018

The UNPO, IRA Mauritania and law firm Jus Cogens voice their concerns regarding current state of human rights in Mauritania in a press release. They brought attention to arbitrary and politically-motivated arrests and criminals proceedings.

8 October 2018

Police breaks out amidst peaceful demonstration against the detention of IRA President Biram Dah Abeid in front of the Mauritanian National Assembly. A dozen of protestors were taken to hospitals with severe injuries.

18 September 2018

The UNPO's Extraordinary General Assembly adopts a resolution on the Haratin. A representative of the IRA in Mauritania to the UNPO General Assembly, Mr Mohameden dah, brought attention to the gross human rights violations experienced by the Haratin and to the arbitrary detentions of two prisoners of conscience, Biram Dah Abeid and Husseyn Messaoud.

7 September 2018

Emprisoned since 7 August, Biram Dah Abeid can't meet the deadline to register in the national elections. Freedom United have launched a petititon for his release.

4 September 2018

690 people have voted for the liberation of anti-slavery activist Biram Dah Abeid on the week-end of 1-2 September, in Brussels and Paris. These votes were collected within a timespan of only seven hours.

29 August 2018

Members of the IRA Belgium gathered peacefully Saturday 1 September, in favour of Biram Dah Abeid's release, handing out voting ballots to vote for his liberation. Abeid's supporters have described his incarceration as a political maneuver from Mauritanian president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz.

17 August 2018

Campaigning for the 1 September elections officially starts, while Biram Dah Abeid remains in prison. He is scheduled to appear before a judge on 23 August.

13 August 2018

After a hearing at Nouakchott South Court, Biram Dah Abeid is transferred from Riadh police station to Nouakchott’s central prison for remand detention.

11 August 2018

Biram Dah Abeid releases a communiqué from prison denouncing the repressive actions of current president Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz and his regime. Biram condemns his own imprisonment as un undemocratic strategy to prevent him from participating in the 1 September 2018 elections.

8 August 2018

Two journalists are jailed in Nouakchott without any justification given by authorities. It is suspected that the reason for the arrest of Babacar Ndiaye and Mahmoudi Ould Saibout is the posting of an article in which they criticised a France-based lawyer who is close to the Mauritanian government.

7 August 2018

After returning from the United States, Biram dah Abeid is arrested at his home in Nouakchott. The police justified the detention by stating that the anti-slavery activist was being accused of threatening a journalist. The IRA denies this accusation and denounces the arrest as a mean to prevent Biram from running in the 1 September 2018 elections. He was not given access to a lawyer.

30 July 2018

Former slave Haby Mint Rabah is reported to have announced her candidacy for the 1 September 2018 elections as a member of the Mauritanian Rally for Global Action.

12 July 2018

Two anti-slavery activists are released by the Mauritanian government. Abdellahi Matalla Saleck and Moussa Bilal Biram were imprisoned together along with 11 other peaceful anti-slavery activists in July 2016. They served two years of a three years sentence.

3 July 2018

In his address at the 31st Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit in Nouakchott, president Macron emphasises the need to strengthen security and fight terrorism in the Sahel. The issue of slavery in the Mauritania and other neighboring countries is not denounced nor referenced by the French head of state.

2 July 2018

The IRA calls French President to take action against enslavement and repression. Emmanuel Macron was addressed through an open letter during his visit in the country, where he would attend an African Union summit in Nouakchott.

18 June 2018

Photographer Seif Kousmate is arrested in Mauritania for taking pictures of the Haratine people living in tents and shanties, a scenario that contradicts the denialism of slavery on the part of the government. The authorities confiscated the photographer’s memory cards.

22 March 2018

Amnesty International released a report on the repression of activists speaking out against discrimination and slavery in Mauritania.

2 January 2018

Nine members of the IRA were arrested when a peaceful protest in Nouakchott was repressed by security forces. The IRA had organised the march to protest the detention of several of its members. Reportedly, Mauritanian security forces used violence against the protesters without any apparent reason, even beating activists that were not willing to leave the premises.

10 September 2017

Mauritanian authorities refused to grant visas to a group of twelve American anti-slavery activists at their arrival in Nouakchott. The human rights defenders were representatives of the American Abolition Institute and Rainbow/PUSH organization. Mauritanian officials claimed that the programme of the activists was in opposition to national laws.

16 August 2017

A week after his disappearance a photo appeared of senator Mohamed Ould Ghadda appears, visibly ailing and held in the military hospital. His reappearance coincided closely with the publication of the official results of the fraudulent referendum, which take away his parliamentary immunity.

15 August 2017

In the context of the rising repression in Mauritania Biram Dah Abeid announced his official candidature for the presidential elections in 2019 “to clear the country of the dictator Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz”.

10 August 2017

Opposition senator Mohamed Ould Ghadda was intercepted at the border with Senegal. He was on his way to receive medical care following injuries obtained at the 3 August protests. Upon his return in Nouakchott he was taken into custody by plain-clothed policemen and moved to an unknown location.

6 August 2017

As the Electoral Commission brought out results citing a 53,75% turnout, with 85,65% voting in favour of the proposed reforms, reports came in from the country’s interior of unprecedented electoral fraud, including children voting in the name of adults and absent persons.

5 August 2017

A referendum was held on reforms proposed by President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz that would suppress the Senate and the High Court of Justice and grant him more power as he comes to the end of his second term. The days before the referendum saw a heightened repression of the opposition and dissidents. The referendum took place with the absence of any independent observation. Local media reported a low turnout, estimated at 20%.

3 August 2017

Biram Dah Abeid was injured during protests in Nouakchott.

27 July 2017

Biram Dah Abeid went to the headquarters of national security in Nouakchott, Mauritania and got his passport back from the authorities. However, general Mohamed ould Maguekh, head of national security, informed him that the authorities would not issue passports for his four children. This decision prevents Mr Dah Abeid from traveling with his family.

24 July 2017

Biram Dah Abeid has seen his passport confiscated by the Mauritanian authorities.

3 May 2017

IRA's leaders who were arrested the day before were released but asked to leave the region of Guidimagha. They are now in the region of Gorgol.

2 May 2017

Several leaders of IRA Mauritania were arrested in Sélibaly, 700km south-east of Nouakchott, on no grounds. Mr Balla Touré, Mr Samba Diagana, Mr Hanana Mboirick, Mr Kaw Lo and Mr Meimoune Bougah were in the area to meet with IRA members in order to prepare the visit of Mr Biram Dah Abeid, who will be in the country from 7 May.

12 February 2017

On Abraham Lincoln's birthday, The Abolition Institute in Chicago awarded Biram Dah Abeid and Brahim Bilal Ramdhane the Aichana Abeid Boilil Award that honours those who are carrying on his legacy by fighting modern day slavery.

15 January 2017

Biram Dah Abeid returned to Mauritania for the first time since his release from prison 8 months in May 2016, amidst renewed criticism by the regime of General Aziz.

6 December 2016

SOAS Against Human Trafficking, a student union at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, invited Biram Dah Abeid to talk about his fight to end slavery in Mauritania and raise awareness across the world of the plight of the Haratin.

1 December 2016

Biram Dah Abeid was invited to speak by the Thompson Reuters Foundation at the Trust Women conference 2016 in London, where he reminded the audience that 90% of slaves in Mauritania are Haratin women and children.

25 November 2016

The coordinator of IRA in Europe, Abidine Merzough, presented the case of the black African diaspora within the Arab world at the 9th Session of the Forum on Minority Issues in Geneva. He asked the international community to support the work of NGOs on the ground.

18 November 2016

The verdict of the appeals court in Zouerat has acquitted 3 members of IRA-Mauritania and release 7 others for time served. The 3 antislavery activists still incarcerated are Abdallahi Abou Diop (1 month left), Moussa Biram, and Abdallahi Seck dit "Vieux".

17 November 2016

Biram Dah Abeid was invited by the Cercle Amesty International ULB to speak at the university about slavery and human rights violations in Mauritania.

15 Novembre 2016

Three French lawyers for IRA-Mauritania filed a complaint against person unknown with the Paris Tribunal de Grande Instance for acts of torture and cruelty. They are hoping to threaten juridically the high-ranking officers responsible for mistreating antislavery activists in prison.

14 November 2016

The appeal of the 13 imprisoned antislavery activists has started in Zouerat. The prosecution is requesting 20 years' imprisonment.

7 November 2016

IRA-Mauritania in Germany organised a protest to denounce the wrongful imprisonment of the 13 activists.

5 November 2016

Near the end of his European tour, Biram Dah Abeid gave an interview with Belgian newspaper La Libre about his campaign to raise awareness about slavery in Mauritania and gather international support in Europe, Africa, and America.

29 October 2016

5 activists of IRA-Mauritania are detained in the Dai Naïm police station after denouncing a slavery case involving a 13-year-old child from Mali.

28 October 2016

The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention of the OHCHR issued an opinion finding that the arrest, sentencing, and detention of Biram Dah Abeid, Brahim Bilal Ramdane, and Djiby Sow in 2014-2015 were illegal and in violation of Mauritanian and international law. The WGAD also found that the Mauritanian government should open an investigation and give reparations to the wrongly imprisoned.

27 October 2016

The African Commitee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child hears the case of two Haratin boys enslaved at birth in Mauritania. Minority Rights Group Internation and Anti-Slavery Internation welcome this as a ray of hope.

25 October 2016

Women activists of IRA-Mauritania organised a peaceful sit-in protest outside the Palace of Justice in Nouakchott in support of the 13 prisoners. The police used tear gas and batons against them and arrested 2 before releasing them later in the day.

18 October 2016

Imprisoned IRA member Ahmed Hamar Vall was admitted in a critical state to the emergency room of Zouerat hospital, where medical professionals recommended his evacuation to Nouakchott.

4 October 2016

IRA vice-president Amadou Tidjane Diop writes an open letter from Dar Naïm prison.

29 September 2016

On their way to the remote prison of Bir Moghrein in the north of Mauritania, the government ordered for the 13 prisoners to be stationed at Zouerat and for a hurried appeal.

28 September 2016

A protest in front of the Mauritanian Embassy in Brussels to call for the release of the 13 imprisoned members of IRA-Mauritania, supported by Amnesty International and UNPO, drew a crowd and the attention of the media, including Associated Press and the RTBF.

19 September 2016

The Supreme Court has authorised the appeal to be held in a remote location, away from Nouakchott, where lawyers, families, and NGOs might not be able to access. A neaurosurgeon has visited two of the imprisoned IRA members, Moussa Bilal Biram and Abdallahi Matallah Saleck, and found injuries congruent with torure and with being tied up for long periods of time.

11 September 2016

The Justice Minister has given orders to move the 13 convicted IRA members to remote prisons in the desert, thus making family and NGO visits almost impossible. They are also isolated from medical services in a flagrant violation of their human rights and their situation is extremely worrying.

9 September 2016

Biram Dah Abeid is touring West Africa to denounce slavery in Mauritania and encourage citizens to pressure their governments into action. After Mali and Senegal, he was in Ivory Coast yesterday [8 September] before heading to Gambia, Burkina Faso, and eventually South Africa. Abeid drew parallels with the struggle against Apartheid and presented abolitionist activism as a duty for Black Africans.

2 September 2016

Creation and first General Assembly of IRA-Mali following a meeting between Biram Dah Abeid and a coalition of Malian human rights NGOs.

19 August 2016

The 13 IRA activists were convicted yesterday [18 August 2016] after a bogus trial, during which the defendants weren’t allowed to argue their case. These prison sentences, which range from 3 to 15 years of detention, come as a “devastating blow” for the IRA and the Mauritanian anti-slavery movement in general, as argued by a spokesperson for Anti-Slavery International. The decision of the court was immediately condemned by the US, UNPO, and IRA founder Biram Dah Abeid.

Sentenced to 15 years in prison: Amadou Tidiane Diop, Abdallahi Abdou Diop, Abdallahi Seck dit Vieux, Moussa Biram, Jemal Bleyil.

Sentenced to 5 years in prison: Balla Touré, Hamady Lehbous.

Sentenced to 3 years in prison: Mohamed Daty, Mohamed Jarroulah, Khrtzy Rahel, Ousmane Lô, Ousmane Anne, Ahmaed Hamar Vall.

4 August 2016

Following weeks of arbitrary detention in inhumane conditions, the trial of 13 IRA-Mauritania members was held on 3 August 2016. The anti-slavery campaigners appeared in court in the capital Nouakchott, accused of rebellion, use of violence and attacking public authorities. Opening debates occurred between the prosecutor and the group of lawyers who requested the immediate cancellation of the completely illegal procedure. The tribunal forced the accused to appear before the court despite their wishes.

15 July 2016

Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Eliot L. Engel, made a statement on the situation of 13 IRA activists detained by the Mauritanian authorities. He expressed his concerns about the baseless allegations of wrongdoing against the detainees and their obvious signs of physical abuse. He further praised the work of the anti- slavery activists and condemned the actions of the Mauritanian authorities.

12 July 2016

13 members of IRA-Mauritania were unfairly charged for "armed assembly", "violence against agents of the public force" rebellion and "membership of an unregistered organization". Tortured and deprived of any means of communication to relatives or legal counsel, the 13 were held from between three and twelve days without access to medical or sanitary facilities.

4 July 2016

A number of anti-slavery activists, many of which have an official role in IRA, were arrested last Thursday [30 June 2016] and in the following days. On 3 July, two other IRA members were arrested following a press conference to comment on these activists’ arrest, including Biram Dah Abeid's advisor Hamady Lebouss. This spate of arrests followed a riot in gazra Bouamatou on 29 June, which the government claims was organised by IRA.

1 July 2016

The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP), US Department of State, has chosen Biram Dah Abeid and Brahim Bilal Ramdhane among its 2016 heroes. Mr Abeid and Mr Ramdhane are the founders of the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA), an organisation that struggles against injustice and slavery in Mauritania. This is one of many prizes awarded to them in the abolitionist struggle and it comes only a few weeks after their release after almost two years of imprisonment.

3 June 2016

The recently liberated Biram Dah Abeid has set his sights on the 2019 Presidential elections in Mauritania. Seen as a strong advocate for equality in a country afflicted by rigid and longstanding oppression, his candidacy could be monumental for the prospects of the Haratin people and the country as a whole.

22 June 2016

IRA-Mauritania has been awarded the prestigious James Lawson Award for Achievement in the Practice of Nonviolent Conflict, presented by the Washington-based International Centre for Nonviolent Conflict. The award was given in recognition of the organisation’s “nonviolent combat and for its struggle to free slaves and conquer slavery in Mauritania.”

24 May 2016

Two slave-owners were successfully prosecuted under the law criminalising slavery and sentenced to five years in prison; this is a first step in the right direction and anti-slavery activists hope this example will serve as a deterrent for other slave-owners.

18 May 2016

Mauritanian anti-slavery activists Biram Dah Abeid and Brahim Bilal Ramdhane have finally been released from jail after serving 20 months of a 2-year sentence. The Supreme Court has ruled that the facts of their case must be requalified to instead constitute an offense punishable by only one year of imprisonment, and thus on that basis, held that the activists should be released. The activists were arrested in November 2014 during a peaceful anti-slavery march. In January 2015, they were sentenced to two years' imprisonment on charges of 'inciting trouble', 'belonging to an unrecognized organisation', 'leading an unauthorised rally', and 'violence against the police'. The whole judicial process violated several procedural laws and during their detention the two activists were deprived of many rights normally recognised to prisoners. UN SG Ban Ki-Moon welcomes their release.

27 April 2016

UNPO publishes Biram Dah Abeid’s open letter from prison to the Mauritanian people, the international community, and especially his fellow anti-slavery activists, asking them to keep up their efforts and to not give up the fight. His letter is filled with gratitude, honesty, and strength for the abolitionist movement, and led to protests in from of the Mauritanian Embassy in Germany and the Bundestag the next day.

16 March 2016

The United Nations Human Rights Council, the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization, and the Nonviolent Radical Party, Transnational and Transparty organised a side-event to the adoption of the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of Mauritania at the XXXI Regular Session of the UNHRC in Geneva entitled “Slavery in Mauritania: Abolished in Theory, Present in Practice”. The event drew attention to the concerning human rights situation in Mauritania and especially that of the Haratin community.

14 March 2016

Mauritania approves the signature of a UN protocol aiming at ending modern day slavery. Even though the intention to sign the UN treaty is a step in the right direction, local activists doubt the government’s sincerity, especially since the country’s criminalization of slavery in 2007 has not ended slaveholders’ impunity – rather, anti-slavery activists continue to be persecuted and jailed.

7 March 2016

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon praised Mauritania’s “invaluable” engagement in and importance for the region’s security architecture. Ban also commended on the country’s efforts to penalize slavery, thereby deliberately overlooking the lack of actual implementation of the so-called “Roadmap to Combat the Vestiges of Slavery”. Nonetheless, local and international human rights organisations highlight the Mauritanian government’s lack of will to actually improve the situation.

18 February 2016

Dr Saad Nave, also known by the name Saad Louleid, has been officially excluded from the IRA - Mauritania organisation. He is currently in Europe with as objective to cause confusion in IRA rhetoric by passing himself as IRA Vice-president.

11 January 2016

Seven IRA-Mauritania activists have been arrested during an anti-slavery protest in Nouakchott. They accuse the Mauritanian government of violating their fundamental right to protest. They accuse the Mauritanian government of violating their fundamental right to protest, which is clearly granted by the constitution. In addition to this, they demand the release of the IRA’s president Biram Dah Abeid and vice-president Brahim Ould Bilal, who have been in jail for over a year.

10 December 2015

IRA-Mauritania was awarded this year’s Human Rights Tulip Award – a prestigious prize awarded by the Dutch government – in recognition of their continuous fight against slavery and discrimination in Mauritania. The prize includes a sum of 100 000 euros to help finance IRA’s activities and encourage the organisation to continue to defend human rights.

1 December 2015

The UNPO and IRA-Mauritania were represented in a hearing at the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights. It consisted of Mr Abidine Merzough, European Coordinator for IRA and lifelong anti-slavery activist, speaking about the hypocrisy of the Mauritanian government concerning slavery. Moreover, alongside a number of other spokespersons, MEP Mark Demesmaeker pointed out the lack of action of the European Commission and the EU’s responsibility to put more pressure on this issue.

On the same day, a protest was being held in front of the European Parliament by Haratin groups, including IRA activists, manifesting against the current situation in Mauritania.

20 August 2015

After seven months of imprisonment, Biram Dah Abeid and Brahim Bilal Ramdhane’s appeal request was denied. The change in location of the trial - from Nouakchott, Mauritania’s capital, to Aleg, a much smaller and remote town - resulted in the inability of a number of actors to attend, thus suggesting that the process was politically biased from the very beginning. This assumption is reinforced by the refusal of the Mauritanian government to recognise this issue. However, reportedly Biram Dah Abeid refuses to give up despite this set back, and says he will continue to fight for his freedom of expression and against slavery in Mauritania. He currently has to remain in prison until having served his two year sentence.

13 August 2015

On 13 August 2015, a new anti-slavery law was adopted by the Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. This new law considers slavery as a crime against humanity and poses harsher sentences, increasing the number of years of imprisonment from ten to twenty. Although legally representing an improvement in comparison to the 2007 law, there are fears that in practice it will bring no real change.

On the occasion of the passing of the law, Minority Rights Group International (MRGI) and Anti-Slavery International quickly released a joint statement expressing that the situation in Mauritania will only change when the judicial and political framework would enable the law to be correctly implemented. As Sarah Mathewson, Africa Programme Co-ordinator at Anti-Slavery International, clearly pointed out, there is a paradox between a positive legislative development concerning slavery on the one hand, and the imprisonment and prosecution of the anti-slavery activists supporting that same cause, on the other.

26 June 2015

On 26 June 2015, Mauritanian media announced the provisional release of antislavery activist and President of the NGO Kawtal, Djiby Sow, for health reasons. According to his family, his medical condition is worrying. Mr Sow suffers from the consequences of the hunger strike he participated in with his fellow activists Mr Biram Dah Abeid and Mr Brahim Jiddou. He suffers from kidney complications and skin problems.

The NGO Kawtal Ngam Yellitaare expressed its gratitude toward Ms Fatimata Mbaye, lawyer and President of the Mauritanian Human Rights Association; international and national organisations; and diplomatic institutions, for the efforts they have put into pressuring the authorities to release Mr Djiby Sow. The United States Embassy in Nouakchott published a press release welcoming the release.

Meanwhile, the medical condition of Mr Abeid is still deteriorating. According to the International Human Rights Federation, he suffers from stomach and dental pain as well as hypertension. He does not have access to medical attention in prison and the strict diet that his condition requires is not respected by the prison authorities.

The appeal trial of Mr Abeid, Mr Ramdhane, Mr Sow and Mr Jiddou is still pending.

22 June 2015

It has now been more than seven months since Biram Dah Abeid was incarcerated on 11 November 2014.

IRA members Dr Saad Ould Louleyd and Ms Marieme Cheikh have recently been released and are now both leading a delegation to raise IRA’s voice abroad.

The delegation led by Dr Louleyd, travelled to the United States and was welcomed by members of the Mauritanian community in Washington, DC on 10 June. Later, they travelled to Philadelphia and met with the mayor of the city. The delegation will continue travelling to several big American cities where they are planning to meet NGOs and members of the civil society.

The second delegation, led by Ms Cheikh, but also by leading member of Kawtaal Mr Malik Lom, is travelling around Europe and arrived in Germany on 16 June. The group will also visit other European countries such as Italy and France.

Mauritanian President Mr Aziz came across IRA protesters during his visit to the region of Brakna. The activists were holding photos of Biram Dah Abeid, Brahim Jiddou and Djibi Sow, and signs asking for Biram to be freed and Aziz to resign. In response to this protest, the President decided to preventively arrest all IRA activists living around Rosso before his visit to the city. It was reported that these arrests were accompanied by torture, which has become a common practice under the ruling of President Aziz. These arrests have not discouraged the IRA activists, who continue to demonstrate two to three times a week in both Nouakchott and Aleg.

11 May 2015

According to the latest news received by IRA activists, Mr Abeid and Mr Jiddou’s appeal trial is scheduled to take place on 22 May 2015 in Aleg. Mr Abeid and Mr Jiddou’s lawyers have nevertheless asked for a release on bail until the trial, but have not yet received any official response from the authorities.

IRA members, Mr Ahmed Amou Ould Moustapha, a radiologist, and Mr Mohamed Baba, a university professor, both living and working in France, visited imprisoned IRA activists in Aleg on 15 April 2015. They found anti-slavery Biram Dah Abeid and Brahim Jiddou determined and in relatively good health.

Mr Abeid reported feeling thankful for the actions led by IRA in the south of France, Paris, Brussels, Rome, Geneva, Berlin, Washington, and many other cities.

IRA-France has been organizing a mock tribunal with other French NGOs, such as Amnesty International France or Agir Ensemble pour les Droits de l’Homme. His wife, Ms Leyla Mint Ahmed, has been organizing the resistance movement in Aleg.

Mr Jiddou’s family has been facing a hard financial situation, since his high school teacher salary has been suspended, while his family lacks other means of subsistence.

Mr Moustapha and Mr Baba also visited anti-slavery Mr Djiby Sow on 24 April in Nouakchott, Mauritania, where he was transferred after participating in a hunger strike with Mr Abeid and Mr Jiddou in January 2015. He suffers from kidney complications and skin problems.

24 March 2015

On 19 March 2015, Nouakchott Criminal Court delivered its verdict on the trial of IRA activists Mr Brahim Jiddou, Mr Yacoub Inalla and Mr Sabar Ould Houssein, condemning them to six, five and seven months in prison, respectively. IRA-Mauritania has underlined that this verdict highlights the great influence of Ulamas on the Mauritanian justice system, and is believed to be a result of the fact that the Government feels threatened by the widespread support the abolitionist movement is enjoying at the international level. Mr Jiddou, Mr Inalla and Mr Sabar Ould Hossein were arrested on 24 October 2014 after having been excommunicated by Imam Ahmedou Ould Lemrabott Ould Habibou Rahmane.

From 16 to 20 March, a UNPO delegation travelled to Mauritania with the primary objectives to visit Mr Biram Dah Abeid, who is a member of the UNPO Presidency, in prison and to assess efforts at the national level to combat slavery and its aftermaths. In addition to meeting with various governmental agencies, the two delegates also had the opportunity to talk to representatives of IRA-Mauritania, SOS Esclaves, Collectif des Victimes de la Répression (COVIRE), Collectif des Rescapés et Militaires (COREMI), Touche pas à ma nationalité, and several other civil society actors.

12 March 2015

Today, the criminal court of Nouakchott acquitted Dr Saad Ould Louleid, Mr Yacoub Ould Moussa and Ms Mariem Mint Cheikh Dieng. They had been charged a few months ago with organizing, calling for and participating in an unauthorized protest and being members of an unrecognized organization.

IRA members have expressed their joy after this verdict, by gathering in front of the civil and women’s prison of Nouakchott, where they will wait for their fellow activists to be released.

11 March 2015

The trial of IRA members Brahim Jiddou, Yacoub Inalla and Sabar Houssein, arrested on 24 October 2014 after having been excommunicated by Imam Ahmedou Ould Lemrabott Ould Habibou Rahmane, began on 5 March 2015.

During the trial, the prosecution demanded a two-year prison sentence and a fine of 60,000UM for the activists. The lawyers of IRA members have underlined the very political tone of the accusations and the trial. The verdict is expected to be delivered on 19 March 2015.

On 9 March 2015, several dozens of IRA supporters met in front of the Courthouse in Aleg to demand the release of Biram Dah Abeid, Brahim Ould Bilal and Djiby Sow. The police and guard units on patrol violently dispersed the peaceful gathering. Several demonstrators were injured, including activist Fatimata Fall Mint Achour, who was taken to the regional hospital by fellow campaigners.

It has been reported that the group of activists, detained since 12 November 2014, has suffered from extortion and robbery at the Nouakchott Prison.

This week, for unknown reasons, prison guards have searched the cell of IRA activist Dr Saad Ould Louleid. Immediately following the inspection, the activist noticed the disappearance of his money, watch and other valuables. The IRA activists have also been repeatedly subjected to verbal and physical harassment by other prisoners. The assaulted activists filed complaints to the penitentiary authorities, without success.

26 February 2015

The negotiations between Mr Biram Dah Abeid, Mr Brahim Ramdhan Bilal, Mr Sow Djiby and the administration of the prison of Aleg where they are detained, were successful, also thanks to the assistance of a delegation of the National Bar Association (ONA). All three prisoners obtained the right to receive visits from their friends and families three days a week. Additionally, they can now have access to sunny parts of the prison, practice sports, listen to the radio and watch the television. They have also been told that their cases have been transferred to the Nouakchott Court of Appeal. Following these developments, the three anti-slavery activists sent a letter to the Prosecutor to announce the end of their hunger strike.

25 February 2015

The announcement of the trial verdict of Mariem Mint Cheikh Dieng, Dr Saad Louleyd and Yacoub Ould Moussa is postponed to 12 March 2015.

In the meantime, a delegation of the Bar Association visit the three prisoners of conscience, Mr Biram Dah Abeid, Mr Brahim Bilal Ramdhan and Mr Djibi Sow, in prison. The association states that the prisoners are in 'the right frame of mind' and calls upon the international community to lead a strong and urgent action leading to the release of the anti-slavery activists. It is further reported that Mr Djibi Sow is no longer participating in the hunger strike on the advice of his doctors.

23 February 2015

After the demands in their letter sent on 19 February are not met, Biram Dah Abeid, Brahim Bilal Ramdhan and Jibril Mamadou Sow being an indefinite hunger strike in protest. For more information, read our press release and copies of the ultimatum letter.

19 February 2015

The Belgian branch of IRA-Mauritania hold a sit-in demonstration in front of the European Parliament on this day in order to denounce the arbitrary arrests over the last few months and the daily human rights violations taking place in Mauritania.

UNPO recieves a copy of an ultimatum letter sent by Biram Dah Abeid, Brahim Bilal Ramdhan and Jibril Mamadou Sow to the Mauritanian authorities. In the letter they make three demands: 1) that they are transferred to the prison within the correct jurisdiction in Nouakchott; 2) that their families and loved ones, from whom the prisoners have been denied from seeing, are allowed visitation rights; 3) that their fellow prisoners who are also being arbitrarily detained are given their right to a fair trial.

The letter also stipulates that if these demands are not met then the three prisoners will begin passive protestation in the prison, and any harm that comes to them thereof will be the responsibility of the Mauritanian authorities.

13 February 2015

The trial of Mariem Mint Cheikh Dieng, Dr Saad Louleyd and Yacoub Ould Moussa is postponed to Thursday, 19 February 2015, after the judge cut short the questioning of Ms Cheikh Dieng by a defense lawyer. The lawyers of the accused then walk out of the courtroom in protest. IRA-Mauritania activists and supporters had gathered outside the courthouse to demand the acquittal of the three human rights activists as well as the release of all other detained and imprisoned anti-slavery campaigners, including Biram Dah Abeid.

12 February 2015

Several hundred members and supporters of IRA-Mauritania demonstrate gather in front of the courthouse in Nouakchott demanding the release of the detained and imprisoned anti-slavery activists. The trial of Dr Saad Louleyd and other IRA-Mauritania members has been postponed several times over the last week but finally starts today.

10 February 2015

Mr Biram Dah Abeid’s wife, Mrs Leila Ahmed Khliva, states that she has been denied access to the prison and can therefore not visit her husband.

5 February 2015

The trail against Dr Saad Louleyd, the spokesperson of IRA-Mauritania who had been arrested on 11 November 2014, Mariem Mint Cheikh Dieng and Yacoub Ould Moussa starts in the regional court in Nouakchott. They have been charged with organizing, calling for and participating in an unauthorized protest and being members of an unrecognized organization. However, the trial is postponed to Thursday, 12 February 2015. The judge gives no reason for this decision. However, activists believe that today’s court date was rushed and only organized in order to end the hunger strike, which started on 3 February 2015. It should also be noted that Dr Saad Louleyd suffers from diabetes and needs daily medical monitoring, which he has been refused for at least part of his detention.

In anticipation of the start of the trial, members and supporters of IRA-Mauritania hold a sit-in protest outside the courthouse. The protesters demanded the acquittal of the three activists, greater justice and the eradication of slavery in the country. The police, armed with tear gas and batons, monitor the situation closely.

3 February 2015

Seven anti-slavery activists and IRA-Mauritania members currently awaiting trial start a hunger strike to protest against the continued delay of their trials. The seven activists are Dr Saad Louleyd (IRA-Mauritania’s spokesperson who was arrested on 11 November 2014), Mariem Mint Cheikh Dieng (the private secretary of Biram Dah Abeid arrested on 12 November 2014), Yacoub Ould Moussa, Yacou Inalla, Saber Houssein, Brahim Ould Jiddou and Baba Traoré. The latter four activists have been in detention since the end of October 2014.

The strikers also demand that Mr Sabar Houssein receives adequate medical assistance. Mr Sabar was beaten by prison guards in Dar Naim before being transferred to a prison in Nouakchott and has yet to receive medical assistance despite his condition deteriorating.

26 January 2015

The motion tabled by Jeremy Corbyn MP in the British Parliament has, so far, been signed by 16 MPs. According to the UK Parliament’s website, the majority of such early day motions receive only one or two signatures, while around 70 or 80 a year receive over one hundred.

22 January 2015

During a press conference in Nouakchott, the spokesperson of the Mauritanian Government and Minister of Relations, Mr Izid Bih Ould Mohamed Mahmoud, reportedly announces that the Mauritanian Government is not against holding early Presidential elections. Allegedly, he further points out that following the demand of the opposition for early elections, the Government had proposed talks regarding this matter, to which t