Mauritanian MPs pass
slavery law 

Mauritania's parliament has
unanimously passed legislation making the practice of slavery punishable by up
to 10 years in prison. 

The new law also stipulates that anyone found
guilty of promoting or being an apologist for slavery could face two years in jail.
A Mauritanian anti-slavery group, SOS Slavery, welcomed the law as a victory
for the people of Mauritania. Slavery persists in parts of Mauritania even
though it was banned in 1981. 

A presidential decree abolished the practice,
which has existed for centuries in Mauritania, but no criminal laws were passed
to enforce the ban. Human rights groups say despite official denials the
practice continues and is widespread. 

'Important change' 

Boubacar Ould Messaoud, leader of SOS Slavery,
said the law was very important for the country. "We have been demanding
this law for a very long time and we are very happy that the National Assembly
has passed this law. "We now have legislation which not only defends
slaves, but punishes the practice of slavery. It is an important change." 

SOS Slavery says there could be up to 600,000
slaves - many of them used as bonded labour - in Mauritania. That would add up
to 20% of the population although the BBC's Ed Horton says those figures are
difficult to verify. 

Before the new law was passed, the Anti-Slavery
International group welcomed the Mauritanian government's initiative but said
the proposed law was too weak. The group urged the government to include
contemporary aspects of slavery - such as forced marriage, indentured labour or
debt bondage. 

And the organisation said the maximum jail term
should be 30 years and new laws should allow for reparation payments to the
victims. 

Story from BBC NEWS:


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