AMBASSADOR RAISES CASE OF DETAINED JOURNALIST OULD

C O N F I D E N T I A L NOUAKCHOTT 000014

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/10/2015
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV MR
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RAISES CASE OF DETAINED JOURNALIST OULD
DAHAH WITH JUSTICE MINISTER

REF: NOUAKCHOTT 823

Classified By: Ambassador Mark M. Boulware for reasons 1.5 (b and d)


1. (C) On January 7, 2010 Ambassador called upon Minister of
Justice Ahmedou Tidjane Bal to express USG concern about the
continued detention of website editor Hanevy Ould Dahah
apparently without legal justification given that his
sentence had been completed on December 24, 2009. Ambassador
also noted that Ould Dahah,s ongoing hunger strike further
raised the stakes for the GIRM in an affair that was
attracting increasing and negative attention not only in
Washington but in other capitals, as well. Stating that he
would never seek to have the minister intercede with the
judiciary, the Ambassador said that the continuing detention
appeared to be entirely in the hands of the executive.


2. (C) Minister Bal thanked the Ambassador for his interest
and indicated that he was keenly aware of the public
relations costs for the GIRM. He said that this represented
another attempt by the political opposition to unjustly
discredit the government. Bal acknowledged that Ould Dahah
would have been eligible for release based on the completion
of his original sentence even though the state prosecutor,s
appeal of that sentence to the Supreme Court was still
pending. He asserted, however, that the prosecutor, in
addition to appealing the sentence for which Ould Dahah had
been convicted, had introduced new charges against him which
provided the legal basis for his continued detention while
these charges were before the court. Admitting that the
additional charges &were not widely known,8 Minister Bal
said that he nonetheless hoped that an early decision by the
Supreme Court, now back to work after the holiday, would
dispose of the matter quickly.


3. (C) Ambassador Boulware thanked the minister for the new
information about additional charges but said that even if
minimum legal hurdles were met the GIRM had not made this
case publicly and that, in any event, it was doubtful that
critics would find this to be evidence of the GIRM,s
commitment to the rule of law. He urged the Minister to
consider how this and similar cases hampered the ability of
Mauritania,s friends to rally support for development and
assistance activities. Minister Bal reiterated his personal
hope and belief that this particular case would be resolved
soon and assured the Ambassador of his continuing
determination to uphold human rights and the rule of law.


4. (C) Comment: After nearly two weeks of absolute silence
on this matter, the GIRM,s latest and private assertion of
new charges against Ould Dahah does not inspire confidence.
Even if a legal fig leaf has been found to justify the
continuing detention, the GIRM is taking a drubbing in the
court of public opinion where the Ould Dahah case is seen as
nothing more that the settling of political scores. Post
will continue to raise this case at high levels.
BOULWARE