Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09NOUAKCHOTT486
2009-07-22 13:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nouakchott
Cable title:  

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE WOULD WELCOME USG HELP IN

Tags:  PGOV PREL MR ELAB KTIP PHUM 
pdf how-to read a cable
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PP RUEHPA RUEHTRO
DE RUEHNK #0486/01 2031353
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 221353Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8649
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUCNMGH/MAGHREB COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RHMFISS/COMSOCEUR VAIHINGEN GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NOUAKCHOTT 000486 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL MR ELAB KTIP PHUM
SUBJECT: MINISTRY OF JUSTICE WOULD WELCOME USG HELP IN
COMBATING SLAVERY

REF: A. NOUAKCHOTT 312

B. NOUAKCHOTT 431

Classified By: Ambassador Mark Boulware for reasons 1.4 (c) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 NOUAKCHOTT 000486

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/21/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL MR ELAB KTIP PHUM
SUBJECT: MINISTRY OF JUSTICE WOULD WELCOME USG HELP IN
COMBATING SLAVERY

REF: A. NOUAKCHOTT 312

B. NOUAKCHOTT 431

Classified By: Ambassador Mark Boulware for reasons 1.4 (c) and (d)


1. Summary: The Ministry of Justice has been informed of
Mauritania's reclassification to Tier 3 in the annual
Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report and has been briefed
about the process and potential consequences for future USG-
Government of Mauritania engagement. Dr. Haimoud Ould
Ramadhane, Advisor to the Ministry of Justice, reassured
PolOff of the government's commitment to fighting slavery and
hoped the USG would help the Ministry with the implementation
of any USG-proposed Action Plan to bring Mauritania back to
Tier 2. He highlighted the government's latest efforts
against poverty that target former slave populations and
recognized that despite a solid legal framework, the
government had failed at implementation of the anti-slavery
law. He cited the disconnect and mistrust between the
government and civil society as one of the causes for program
failures. Ramadhane stated the USG can help by assisting
Mauritania in standing up an anti-slavery brigade to
investigate slavery cases in urban and rural areas. End
summary.


2. (C) PolOff met on July 21 with Dr. Haimoud Ould
Ramadhane, Advisor to the Ministry of Justice, to discuss
Mauritania's reclassification to Tier 3 in the Trafficking in
Persons (TIP) Report and underscore how important trafficking
issues, particularly slavery, would be for the USG moving
forward. Ramadhane stated he was already aware of
Mauritania's reclassification and pointed out that the USG,
despite its so-called interest in eradicating slavery, "had
never given a single penny to the Ministry to help with
anti-slavery programs since 2005." He stated he hoped the
USG would help the Ministry in the application of any
USG-proposed Action Plan to bring Mauritania back to Tier 2.
Note: Ramadhane, a descendant of slaves, is the author of
the Law on the Exploitation of Individuals, the Children's
Code and participated in the drafting of the Law Against
Slavery. End Note.


-------------- --------------
ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAMS TARGET "DESCENDANTS OF SLAVES"
-------------- --------------


3. (C) Ramadhane, who uses the euphemisms "les sequelles de
l'esclavage" (the aftermath of slavery) or "les pratiques
esclavagistes" (slavery-related practices) but did not once
refer to "slavery" as slavery, stated that it was not in the
Government of Mauritania's best interest to perpetuate
"slavery-related practices". He stressed these "practices"
have always existed in Mauritania and are of a complex
nature, as many former slaves have strong family or social
connections to their masters.


4. (C) Ramadhane underlined the government had instituted
programs to help poor populations, which included "the
descendants of slaves." He referred PolOff to a program
launched four months ago by the Human Rights Commissioner in
conjunction with civil society to fight poverty in the
Triangle of Poverty. This modest program (funded at less
than $5,000) aims to improve education, health, employment,
and training opportunities for underprivileged populations
constituted, for the most part, of "former slaves"
disadvantaged by their social condition. He also highlighted
the Food Security program, which he claims mostly targets the
"former slave" population, allowing them to live
independently. He also mentioned the Bamako initiative which
brings health care and affordable medicines to poor
populations and the Strategic Framework for the Fight Against
Poverty. Finally, Ramadhane stressed there were laws in
Mauritania that indirectly fought against child slavery such
as the mandatory education law for children between 6-14
years of age. Comment: PolOff has seen no indication that
this law is universally enforced. End comment.


--------------
GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY DISCONNECT
--------------


5. (C) For Ramadhane, the necessary legal framework is
already in place but the government has failed at
enforcement. He said one of the main obstacles to easing the
"aftermath of slavery" has been the inability of the
government and civil society to work together. He stressed
there is deep mistrust between the government and civil
society as civil society has traditionally labeled the State

NOUAKCHOTT 00000486 002 OF 002


as "pro-slavery" and the government perceives civil society
as a threat whose sole objective is to demonstrate the
government is not acting in good faith. Ramadhane brought
home the point that government and civil society need to
overcome their prejudices and disagreements and work together
to ensure programs are successful and laws are respected. He
encouraged the USG to use its influence with civil society to
persuade them to support and participate in government
programs.


6. (C) PolOff commented that the recent cases of suspected
child-slaves Hana Mint Maria and Vatimetou Mint Mata Moulana
were of concern as they showed an unwillingness to prosecute
slave-masters on slavery grounds but also on child abuse and
endangerment (Ref A and B). Ramadhane stated he was not
aware of these cases and that neither Fatimata M'Baye, a
lawyer focused in children's rights with Terre des Hommes,
nor Boubacar Messaoud with SOS Esclaves had come to see him
regarding them. He stated that if judges had dismissed
accusations, civil society still had legal recourses,
particularly if the charges were related to child abuse,
forced child labor, failure to comply with the mandatory
education law, and child molestation.

--------------
A FEW IDEAS FOR THE USG
--------------


7. (C) Ramadhane suggested the USG could assist Mauritania
in standing up an "anti-slavery brigade." The brigade would
consist of policemen and gendarmes dedicated to investigating
slavery cases and gathering solid evidence for prosecution.
The brigade's policemen would fight against urban slavery
whereas the gendarmes would work in rural areas. He
suggested a camel brigade would be most appropriate for
faraway areas. Ramadhane argued that such a brigade would
confirm the State's determination to fight against
slavery-related practices; it would become a deterrent for
people who enslaved others; and finally it would reassure
victims that the government was looking after them.


8. (C) He also invited the USG to contribute to awareness
campaigns and said it would be beneficial for Mauritanian
Ministry of Justice experts to conduct a study-trip to Niger
to gather lessons learned from their counterparts.

--------------
COMMENT
--------------


9. (C) WIth Mauritania's decline into Tier III TIP status,
credible anti-slavery activities on the part of the
newly-elected government will be key in allowing other areas
of U.S.-Mauritanian cooperation to re-engage. The Mission
will highlight TIP priorities and possible programatic
responses following ou Country Team MSP review planned for
next week. End comment.
BOULWARE