The Haratin people have been a member of the UNPO since 2011. 

The Haratin people’s distinct identity and their ongoing struggles for recognition, self-determination, and equal representation highlight their status as a marginalized and oppressed group within Mauritania. Despite significant challenges, including systemic discrimination, slavery, and a lack of access to basic rights, the Haratin community remains committed to preserving their cultural heritage and advocating for their rights. 

Allowing the Haratin people to exercise their right to self-determination, including equal participation and representation, as well as being able to address historical injustices, is crucial for resolving ongoing conflicts, preserving their culture, and ensuring their contributions are recognized and valued in Mauritania. The UNPO continues to advocate for the Haratin’s rights, emphasizing the importance of peaceful dialogue and respect for their right to self-determination and equal representation.

The UNPO secretariat works for the rights of the Haratin people as a whole and might work with different civil society organizations, groups and representatives from the Haratin. However, the main organization representing the rights of the Haratin people within the UNPO membership and with voting rights at the General Assembly is the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA – Mauritania). You can read more about the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement here.

The Haratin in Mauritania have a culture and identity deeply rooted in their historical experiences of marginalization and oppression. Despite centuries of discrimination, the Haratin have preserved rich traditions, including music, dance, and oral storytelling, which serve as expressions of their resilience and cultural pride. Islam plays a central role in Haratin identity, with religious practices and beliefs shaping their social norms and promoting community cohesion.

The Haratin, also known as Haratine or Harratin, are a historically marginalized ethnic group in Mauritania, primarily descended from West African slaves. For centuries, they have faced severe discrimination, exploitation, and social exclusion, often being relegated to servitude for the Arab-Berber elites. During the transatlantic slave trade, Mauritania was a significant source of enslaved Africans, and many Haratin were forcibly taken and sold into bondage. Despite their history of suffering, the Haratin have demonstrated resilience in their struggle for recognition and rights within Mauritanian society, seeking access to land, education, and political representation. Addressing the legacy of slavery and promoting social justice for the Haratin remains an ongoing challenge in Mauritania.

The Haratin people continue to endure harsh living conditions and systemic discrimination. Slavery remains deeply entrenched in Mauritanian society, with many Haratin, particularly women and children, still living in conditions of de facto slavery, inherited from one generation to the next within slave-owning families. Although recent legislation has outlawed slavery, criminalized the practice, and declared it a crime against humanity, these laws are not effectively enforced, and the government resists attempts by NGOs and individuals to tackle the issue.

The enforcement of anti-slavery laws is further undermined by the requirement that slaves must file legal complaints themselves to trigger prosecution, as NGOs are not permitted to make complaints on their behalf. Additionally, the lack of public awareness about the law means that many Haratin are unaware that slavery has been officially abolished and continue to regard the practice as normal. While there have been a few convictions under the Anti-Slavery Law, government measures have largely been symbolic, with little real impact on the ground.

Haratin human rights defenders work tirelessly to raise awareness about the issue of slavery through advocacy and lobbying, pushing the authorities to enforce existing legislation. However, these activists often face a lack of cooperation and even repression from the authorities. Grassroots NGOs that seek out the enslaved and bring them to the authorities, with their consent, often face arrest, physical abuse, and detention on false charges instead of redress. Leaders of peaceful protests against the government’s failure to enforce the Anti-Slavery Law are particularly targeted with violence and intimidation, including death threats and surveillance. Moreover, the authorities refuse to allow anti-slavery NGOs to register as official civil society organizations and attempt to infiltrate and co-opt them through bribery and other means.

The Haratin people have long struggled to be recognized as a distinct community with the right to self-determination. Respecting this right is crucial for allowing the Haratin to choose their own political, cultural, and economic future and to address historical injustices related to slavery and systemic discrimination. Upholding the rights of the Haratin people is essential for promoting justice, stability, and inclusivity in Mauritania, ensuring that their voices are heard and respected, and addressing the ongoing challenges they face.