Sep 12, 2014

UNPO Appeals MEPs to Sign Letter for Urgent Action Against Slavery Case


As part of the international campaign for the abolition of slavery, the Unrepresented Peoples and Nations Organization is inviting Members of the European Parliament to sign a letter concerning a case of slavery and statutory rape involving a teenage girl, Mbeirika Mint M’bareck, in Mauritania. The letter is based on the documentation provided by the anti-slavery organization SOS-Esclaves and its lawyer, as well as concerned individuals who have expressed their willingness to publicize the case on the international level.

The UNPO, together with SOS-Esclaves and Anti-Slavery International, is deeply concerned by the slavery case of Mbeirika Mint M'bareck and would like to support the victim by collecting signatures of endorsement from MEPs.

Mbeirika Mint M’bareck, aged 15, has been held as a slave since birth by a family in the village of Echemin. Her brother Elkheir managed to escape slavedom a few years ago, and her sister Vatma, who escaped earlier this year, filed a complaint with the local police. Despite the evidence, the Public Prosecutor decided to charge the Mbeirika’s slave owner with “exploitation of a minor (without financial compensation)”, rather than slavery. Furthermore, the 15-year-old victim, who was pregnant when she appeared before the Public Prosecutor of Nema, was accused of zina (the crime of adultery/fornication under Sharia law).

In January 2014, UNPO launched its International Campaign Against Slavery, taking an important step forward towards the abolition of all forms of the contemporary slavery. UNPO draws its strength in large part from its experience working with its Haratin member from Mauritania, the country with the highest prevalence of slavery in the world. 

The signed letter will be sent to the Mauritanian Minster of Justice, with a copy to the Mauritanian President, as well as relevant United Nations bodies. UNPO believes that every signature from a Member of the European Parliament helps to strengthen the international community's resolve to condemn and abolish the practice of slavery in Mauritania. 

UNPO sincerely thanks the following MEPs who have already signed the letter: Ana Gomes (S&D), Heidi Hautala (Greens/EFA) and Bodil Ceballos (Greens/EFA).