Mauritania : First review by the UN Committee against Torture after 7 year-delay

01 May 2013
On 8 and 10 May 2013, Mauritania will be reviewed for the first time by the UN Committee against torture in Geneva during its 50th session. The state party finally submitted its national report in January 2012 following a seven-year delay. The review is aimed at assessing the implementation of the Convention against Torture in the country. In this framework, Alkarama submitted an alternative report which presents an overview on the practice of torture in the country. We also will meet with the UN Committee before the beginning of the review to brief them about our main concerns in this matter.
Taking into account that Mauritania's recent history is marked by political instability, coups d'état, the fight against terrorism and the issue of slavery which remains unaddressed by the authorities, our report highlights that the gaps inherent to the legislative framework and the serious shortcomings of the judiciary foster the practice of torture and ensure perpetrators' ongoing impunity.

In Mauritania, pre-trial detention, incommunicado detention, enforced disappearances and renditions are breeding ground for the practice of torture and the very conditions of detention also amount to ill-treatment. Unfortunately, the measures undertaken to prevent it remain insufficient due to the lack of independence of the judiciary and the limited role of the national human rights institution.

Mauritania's review will be the occasion for the UN Committee to hold a dialogue with the authorities on the basis of the national report and the shadow reports prepared by the civil society. At the end of the examination, the UN experts will issue recommendations to the State to ensure improved respect of the Convention to which it is party since 2004.

The review will take place on Wednesday 8 May 2013 at 10 am and Friday 10 May at 3 pm. Alkarama will film and live stream the sessions. To follow the review, please follow this link:http://www.treatybodywebcast.org/

Mauritania
Torture