Urgent Action: Anti-slavery activists arbitrarily detained in Mauritania

Two members of the anti-slavery organization Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA) were arbitrarily arrested on 7 August in Nouakchott, west Mauritania. Biram Dah Abeid, IRA president and candidate to the September parliamentarian elections, and Abdellahi el Housein Mesoud have been charged and denied access to legal representation.

Please write immediately in French or your own language:

◼ Urging the Mauritania authorities to ensure that Biram Dah Abeid and Abdellahi el Housein Mesoud have regular access to their lawyers;

◼ Calling on the authorities to ensure that Biram Dah Abeid and Abdellahi el Housein Mesoud are given adequate time and facilities to communicate with their lawyers, in confidence and to prepare their defence;

◼ Calling on the authorities to uphold the activists’ right to a fair trial;

◼ Urging them to ensure that anti-slavery activists, and other human rights defenders, can carry out their human rights activities without any intimidation, harassment and without fear of reprisals.

 

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 19 OCTOBER 2018 TO:

President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania

General Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz Presidency

BP 184 Nouakchott

Mauritania

Fax: +222 45 25 98 01

Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of Justice

DIA Moctar Malal

Ministry of Justice

B. P. 350 Nouakchott

Mauritania

Fax: +222 45 29 49 84

Salutation: Your Excellency

Commissioner for Human Rights and Humanitarian Action

Mohamed Lamine Ould Sidi

B.P : 1258 Nouakchott – Mauritanie

Fax : +222 45 24 28 49

E-mail : cdhahrsc@gmail.com

Salutation: Your Excellency

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Mr Mohamed Yahya Sidi Haiba Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Carlyle House, 235-237 Vauxhall Bridge Road SW1V 1EJ, 020 7233 615

 

Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.