The current developments are particularly worrying due to the wide presence of modern-day slavery in Mauritania. According to the recently-published 2016 Global Slavery Index, there are over 43,000 people trapped in modern slavery in the country, accounting for over 1 percent of the entire population. This makes Mauritania the country with the highest prevalence of slavery in the world....
The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) has gathered recent news and first-hand information about the current developments in Mauritania. Between 30 June and 3 July 2016, the Mauritanian...
This press release was published by IRA Mauritania in Belgium: C’est en février 2017 que l’assemblée générale du Conseil des étudiants STURA a vu...
Le communiqué ci-dessous a été publié par IRA Mauritanie: Cette journée internationale commémore l’adoption le 2 décembre 1949 par l’Assemblée...
The article below was published by Thomson Reuters Foundation News: Day after day, Aminetou Mint Yarg and her fellow villagers in southern Mauritania haul water from the river and tend to their crops...
The article below was published by La Libre: La politique européenne appuie un régime de ségrégation raciale pour des raisons commerciales. Stop ! Une opinion...
Mauritania, ruled by President Aziz, is currently going through a serious political crisis, as arbitrary and politically-motivated arrests and criminal proceedings continue being carried out and become...
The report below In French, published by Au secours des Haratine: SOS-Abolition: INITIATIVE DE RÉSURGENCE DU MOUVEMENT ABOLITIONNISTE EN MAURITANIE (IRA-Mauritanie) Le lundi 08 octobre, à...
The choice of the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates came in a year that has been marked by repeated calls for women’s empowerment throughout the world. Dr Denis Mukwege and Ms Nadia Murad’s...
The English and French versions of the resolution are available below. RESOLUTION We, the UNPO General Assembly: Expresses its strong preoccupation in the face of the arbitrary detention,...
The below article was published by The Independent: Biram Dah Abeid was woken with a shock at 5.30am by police, who took him to a squalid, windowless prison cell at the station. But he wasn’t...
The communiqué below (in French) was published by IRA Mauritanie: A Bruxelles et à Paris, ce 1er septembre [2018], pratiquement 2 personnes par minute ont demandé la libération...
The article below (in French) was published by bx1: La gare centrale de Bruxelles sera samedi [1er septembre 2018] le théâtre d’une action pacifique pour réclamer la libération...
More than 29 million people live in some form of enforced servitude in the world today, but nowhere is slavery as prevalent as in Mauritania, even though, on paper, the country criminalized slavery with...
Following an introduction by UNPO’s US Programme Coordinator, human rights and environmental lawyer Alice Bullard opened the discussion by providing an overview of the issue globally, highlighting...
Slavery is accepted in many circles as a horror that humanity has fortunately left in the past. In fact, slavery continues to be practiced in many modern societies with minimal recognition and inadequate...
Abdellahi Matalla Saleck and Moussa Bilal Biram were arrested together with 11 other activists in July 2016, all of whom were sentenced to serve between three and 15 years in prison for their involvement...
This article was originally published by Géopolis: C’est par une lettre ouverte que le mouvement anti-esclavagiste mauritanien (IRA) s’est adressé au président...
The article below was published by Newsweek. The Mauritanian government doesn’t want you to know that 10 to 20 percent of its people are enslaved. Officials don’t want you to think...
The article below was published by The Guardian. Due to copywrite laws, UNPO suggests you follow the links in order to view photos of each individual journey. In 1981, Mauritania made slavery illegal,...
In its report, the CERD underlines that Mauritania does not abide by the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD), which it has signed in 1966 and ratified...
Below is a press release published by the Initiative for the Resurgence of Abolitionism in Mauritania's European sections (in French): Les 1er et 2 mai, aux Nations unies à Genève,...
The article below was originally published by CAJnewsAfrica Casablanca — IN language rarely seen among nations, some of Donald Trump's closest allies have attacked an International Monetary Fund...
Mauritania’s population is quite heterogenous; questions of caste and ethnicity lie at the source of many of the country’s most deep-rooted and sensitive human rights problems. This report...
The article below was published by Mondafrique: Dans le cadre de ses activités pacifiques, le mouvement populaire et anti esclavagiste IRA a organisé une marche dans la région de...
The article below was published by The Guardian: The African Union has reprimanded Mauritania for failing to take action against widespread slavery within its borders and...
The press release below (in French) was published by C.RI.DE.M: IRA-Mauritanie a prévu de sortir dans une marche pacifique lundi 15 janvier 2018 arborant les photos des victimes d'exécutions...
In June and July 2016, Amadou Tidjani Diop, Ahmed Hamar Vall, Hamady Lehbouss, Mohamed Daty, Balla Touré, Moussa Biram, Khatry Rahel, Mohamed Jaroulah, Abdallahi Matala Saleck and Abdallah Abou...
The article below was published by Radio France Internationale in French: En Mauritanie, l'ONG anti-esclavagisme Initiative de résurgence du mouvement abolitionniste (IRA) dénonce...
The article below was published by Radio France Internationale in French: En Mauritanie, l'ONG anti-esclavagisme Initiative de résurgence du mouvement abolitionniste (IRA) dénonce...
The article below was published by World Politics Review: Maatalla Mboirick’s home sits a few hundred meters off the main road of this desert city, past high mounds of orange sand. It is...
The article below was published by: 9News Slavery has long been seen as a crime of antiquity, with the United States ending the slave trade in the 1860s. But slavery is such an ingrained part of life...
In the district of Tarhil, as in many other underprivileged ones across Nouakchott and Mauritania, children often lack access to education. Teachers tend to not come to school, or not frequently enough...
Please find below the interview conducted by Minds of the Movement and UNPO: Can you describe your journey of becoming involved in civil resistance? Was there a key moment that compelled you to...
The article was published by MenaFN: Twelve anti-slavery activists from the United States have been denied entry to Mauritania, the country's government announced on Sunday [10 September...
Below is a press release published by the European coordination of IRA Mauritanie (in French): Lors des manifestations de ce 3 août à Nouakchott contre le projet de référendum...
Below is a press release published by the European coordination of IRA Mauritania (in French): Le 19 juillet dernier, après une tournée de sensibilisation en Europe et aux Etats Unis,...
The article below was published by Equal Times: “Our freedom, our dignity, will never be truly and fully achieved until there are no more slaves in this country.” Taken out...
Below is an article published by CNN: A modest office block squeezed between a doctor's surgery and a south London housing project is an unlikely setting to find a man described on Time's most...
Below are some photos taken during the event:
Below is a press release in French by IRA Mauritania in Belgium: MARCHE DES ANTI-ESCLAVAGISTES DE L’IRA SAMEDI 20 MAI à 11H00 BRUXELLES, PORTE DE NAMUR (SQUARE DU BASTION) Pour la libération...
Below is a press release published by IRA: Le régime en place en Mauritanie a procédé cet après-midi du mardi 02 mai 2017 à l’arrestation de membres dirigeants...
Biram Dah Abeid was born in 1965 in the Mauritanian village of Jidrel Mohguen in Rosso, Trarza. Both of his parents were born into slavery. His father Dah eventually escaped from slavery, but poverty forced...
OVERVIEW At present, half of Mauritania’s Haratin population exists as de facto slaves. Traditionally, the Haratin men work in the farmland, whilst Haratin women...
During his 7-day visit to Washington, DC in March 2017, Mr. Biram Dah Abeid met with Members of the US Senate, representatives of international human rights organizations, as well as experts of various...
The article below was published by The Huffington Post: Slavery. Perhaps one of the worst phenomena occurring on this earth at this time. No freedom to make choices in your life. No ability...
For French and other languages, see column on the right. In 2016, the project “From Slavery to Success! Read, Write and Smile” was initiated by the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization...
This year, the Council of the EU promises to engage in facilitating the participation of indigenous peoples’ representatives in meetings of relevant UN bodies. This certainly underpins the work that...
The article below was published by Erasing 76 Crimes: German embassies have repeatedly stymied the LGBT support group Hamiam when it invites LGBT activists for training in Cologne, Germany. One...
The following article (in French) was published by Mémoires et Partages: Ce samedi 4 février, le militant anti-esclavagiste Mauritanien invité du 223e anniversaire...
The article below was published by the Africa Times: A final ruling is expected next week in the case of a Mauritanian blogger who faces execution on apostasy charges – a verdict that has now been...
The following article was published by Newsweek: In the dusty Mauritanian capital of Nouakchott, thousands of protesters armed with loudspeakers gathered outside the country’s Supreme...
On international Human Rights Day, UNPO reiterates its commitment to the promotion of democracy, rule of law, and human rights everywhere. The first United Nations Forum on Human Rights, Democracy...
In his opening remarks, Marino Busdachin, General Secretary of UNPO, shed a light on the fact that since the independence of East Timor, the UN has failed to advance the fulfilment of the right...
The following article was published in Middle East Eye: Ten Mauritanian anti-slavery activists were on Friday [18 November 2016] handed their freedom in a partial appeal court victory that left...
To access the article published by Al-Monitor, please click here.
The following article was adapted from a press release by IRA-Belgique: Le 30 octobre 2016 s’est tenue à Bruxelles une conférence organisée par la section IRA- Belgique...
Below is an article published by Minority Rights Group International: The hearing today [27 October 2016] by the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), of the case...
Below is an article published by Cridem: Une délégation du Sous comité pour la Prévention de la Torture (SPT), un mécanisme indépendant affilié...
The following article was published by the United Nations OHCHR: GENEVA (19 October 2016) – A group of United Nations human rights experts* today expressed serious concern that Mauritanian activists...
The article below was published by Jeune Afrique: An English translation is also available here. L’image est archaïque et semble venue d’une époque révolue. Des...
In December 2015, UNPO launched a charity appeal to raise funds for Haratin children called ‘From Slavery to Success: Read, Write and Smile’. Slavery is still rife in Mauritania, and freed...
On 28 September 2016, members of the Haratin community and supporters of the fight against slavery met outside the Mauritanian Embassy in Brussels to protest the imprisonment of 13 anti-slavery...
In addition to a focus on the urgent theme of migration and refugees, which has affected Europe throughout the past years, some of the main world-wide challenges identified in the Annual Report of 2015...
Below is an interview published by Liberation: Une nouvelle fois, des membres d’IRA (Initiative de résurgence du mouvement abolitionniste) ont été condamnés...
The article below is published by Okay Africa Mauritania is considered the world’s last bastion of slavery, although there are clandestine operations around the world. It’s believed...
Only weeks after the release of IRA President Biram Dah Abeid and Vice-President Brahim Bilal Ramdhane, the Mauritanian authorities have unleashed a new wave of brutal repression to silence anti-slavery...
The article below is published by Yahoo.com The United States on Saturday condemned Mauritania's imprisonment and alleged torture of protesters, including anti-slavery activists. A court in the west African...
The press release below was published by Anti-Slavery International. Attached is also a press release by IRA Mauritanie en Belgique. Anti-Slavery International said today that imprisoning anti-slavery...
This podcast is courtesy of BBC World Service - Outlook I lived in a family of former slaves. My mother gave birth not in a hospital, but with the help of the women of the village. My family made an income...
Photo courtesy of Cridem Below is an article by Cridem: La Cour criminelle a usé de la force pour extraire de la maison d’arrêt de Dar Naïm et faire comparaître, ce mardi...
Below is an article published by Haratine Le fameux faux procès contre les cadres militants IRA-Mauritanie qui s’est ouvert ce 03 Aout 2016 tourne au fiasco pour le système...
Below is an article published by US House of Representatives, Committee on Foreign Affairs: Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today [15 July...
Below is an article published by FIDH According to information received, Abdallahi Matallah Seck, Balla Touré, Amadou Moussa Biram and Tidjane Diop were victims of torture and ill-treatment....
Below is an interview to Mr Biram Dah Abeid published by Journal Nouakchott: Biram Dah Abeid pour le journal electronique Nouakchott.com : Les autorités ont fabriqué des accusations...
Photo courtesy of Cridem. Below is an article published by Cridem: Le 28 juin et suite aux événements dans la gazra (bidonville) en face de l’hôpital ophtalmologique...
Below is an article published by North Africa Post The riots started when security forces stormed slump dwellings occupied for decades by the Haratin ethnic group, many of them former slaves. The authorities...
Photo courtesy of haratine.blogspot.be/. On 29 June, Mauritanian authorities harshly repressed the population in Gazra Bouamatou after the local residents opposed resistance to being forcefully deported...
Photo courtesy of Senator Paul Strass. The Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (US Department of State) published a profile of its 2016 Mauritania Heroes: The partnership...
Below is an article published by the Roads & Kingdoms/Slate: Essatim Mint M’Barka must have been about 15 years old when she became pregnant by her “daddy.” Not that...
Below is an article published by Morocco World News: The Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Morocco’s southern neighbour, is undergoing drastic changes. With a population of 3.89 million...
Below is an article published by Bawosophma News: After a year and a half in prison, the Mauritanian anti-slavery activist was released, and he has now to prepare his candidacy for the presidential election...
Photo courtesy of the Guardian. Below is an article published by the Guardian: Anti-slavery campaigners in Mauritania say two court victories last week could be significant in the fight against...
Below is an article published by the UN News Centre: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the release of human rights activists Biram Dah Abeid and Brahim Ould...
Biram and Brahim, who are President and Vice-President of IRA-Mauritania respectively, have been for years at the forefront of the fight against slavery in Mauritania. Biram has represented the Haratin...
Despite the Mauritanian government’s adoption of a roadmap to combat slavery in 2014, disappointingly the barbaric practice remains, with political will to implement the roadmap seemingly lacklustre...
Modern-day slavery is still very much present in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. To this day, individual identity is attached to hereditary and caste lines, thus keeping slavery in place. Despite...
The following is a press release from Initiative de Resurgence du Mouvement Abolitionniste en Mauritanie: Another International Award for the IRA’s Peaceful Struggle The main leaders of...
Photo courtesy of The Globe and Mail. Below is an article published by The Globe and Mail: Habi Mint Rabah was born a slave. She tells her story calmly, without self-pity: how her mother...
Mr Hanno Schedler, from the Society of Threatened Peoples, opened the conference by providing the audience with an overview on the current human rights situation in Mauritania, especially that of the Haratin...
Mauritania became the last country in the world to abolish slavery in 1981, and captured the world’s attention by officially criminalising it only in 2007, following significant international pressure....
After consistent international pressures against hereditary slavery in Mauritania, which was only abolished in 1981 and criminalised in the 2000s, the Mauritanian government published, on 6 March 2014,...
Below is an article published by Reuters: Mauritania has vowed to ramp up its fight against slavery, becoming the second African country to approve a United Nations treaty designed to give countries...
Below is a press release published by UN News Centre: With a “triple peril” of environmental degradation, poverty and insecurity facing the Sahel, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon...
A Haratin delegation from Mauritania visited Brussels on 8 and 9 February to raise further awareness about the situation of their community in the European institutions. This trip was part of a...
Below is an article published by Cridem Dans les textes, tous les Mauritaniens sont égaux en droits et en devoirs. Dans les faits, c’est hélas encore loin d’être...
Below is an article published by The Guardian: Protestors marking the one-year anniversary of the conviction and imprisonment of Mauritania’s leading anti-slavery activists are facing...
At UNPO, we believe that the answer to that question is absolutely yes. That is why we are launching our project ‘From Slavery to Success! Read, Write and Smile’. We are hoping...
Mauritania criminalised slavery in the landmark 2007 Anti-Slavery Law. In spite of this criminalisation, slavery is still rife and about 20% of Mauritania’s 3.5 million residents are affected by...
The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) joins the world in observing the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery on December 2. In order to abolish slavery in practice, the MFWA calls on Mauritania...
Mr Merzough spoke about the hypocrisy with which the Mauritanian government responds to slavery; allowing the problem to go on unchecked and unacknowledged within Mauritania, while claiming in international...
Below is a letter in French by the founder and president of Anges d’Afrique published by Actusen: Au 21eme siècle un état situé en Afrique de l’ouest entre l’océan...
Below is in article published by Cridem.org: DuneVoices - L’histoire de Salka a commencé au mois d’avril dernier lorsqu’on rapporta l’ouverture des inscriptions...
Mr Merzough explained in detail the situation of the Haratin people. Originating from a caste-based system of social hierarchy, the word ‘haratin’ literally translates as ‘slave’....
Dah Abeid and Ramdhane are President and Vice-President, respectively, of IRA-Mauritania, one of the most important anti-slavery groups operating in the country today. Along with his colleague, Biram Dah...
Minority Rights Group International (MRGI) and Anti-Slavery International welcomed the adoption of a new anti-slavery law in Mauritania but said that it will be worthless if it is not implemented. Slavery...
IRA President, Biram Dah Abeid, and Vice President, Brahim Bilal Ramdane, were arbitrarily arrested, tried and imprisoned, for simply denouncing the injustice concerning slavery. They were subsequently...
Below is the press release on the matter published by Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement in Mauritania (IRA): Despite its whole Directorate being behind bars, the...
Although protest brought together IRA-Belgium activists of Moor, Fula and Haratin descent, the IRA-Belgium President, Mr Abdel Wahab Jeddou, regrets that some Mauritanians of Moor origin still find it...
The demonstrators denounced the arbitrary arrests of anti-slavery activists in Mauritania and the daily human rights violations taking place in the country. In addition, while expressing their gratitude...
The delegation, consisting of UNPO representatives Ms Johanna Green and Ms Iva Petkovic, first met the Mauritanian Commissioner for Human Rights and Humanitarian Action, who leads the Commissariat...
Below is an article published by Biram Dah Abeid La section d’IRA-Italie a organisé de nombreuses activités pour réclamer la libération de la militante antiesclavagiste,...
The UNPO Presidency implores the Mauritanian Government immediately to release and pardon Biram Dah Abeid and his fellow activists, who were arrested during peaceful anti-slavery protests on 11 November...
They were sentenced to two years in prison after being formally charged with being members of an unauthorised organisation, violating public order, inciting violence and offending the authorities. These...
Photo courtesy of biramdahabeid.com Below is an article by biramdahabeid.com: Après trois longs jours de grève de la faim et en dépit des mesures d’isolement strict, les détenus...
On 11 February 2015, the three activists issued an ultimatum (available in English, French and Arabic) to the Public Prosecutor declaring that they would pursue peaceful means of protest...
The demonstration followed the release of an open letter sent to the Mauritanian government by imprisoned activists Biram Dah Abeid, Brahim Bilal Ramdhan and Jibril Mamadou Sow. The letter called for the...
Read also UNPO’s update regarding recent developments of Biram Dah Abeid’s imprisonment. Below is an article published by News Time Africa: Hundreds of Mauritanians staged a protest...
Below are the statements released on 16 January 2015: US Department of State The United States is closely following the legal proceedings against Biram Ould Dah Ould Abeid, President of the Initiative...
The activists had been charged with inciting violence, disturbing public order, offending members of the authorities and being members of an unregistered organization. The Mauritanian gendarmerie...
Across Europe politicians came out in support of the arrested activists. Charles Tannock MEP and Mark Demesmaeker MEP, for instance, submitted a priority parliamentary question to the EU’s High Representative...
Below is an article published by the Middle East Eye: Biram Dah Ould Abeid has been called the Mauritanian Nelson Mandela, “Le Spartacus Mauritanien”. The 2013 United...
Thursday’s debate in the plenary featured an array of high-profile speakers, such as Human Rights Subcommittee Vice-President Barbara Lochbihler MEP (Greens/EFA, Germany), EPP coordinator on the...
This news, coming exactly one month after Mr Abeid was arrested with his colleagues at a peaceful demonstration in the town of Chgara, is the culmination of weeks of advocacy, which have also seen a priority...
The activists were campaigning with the Caravan of Liberty in the town of Chgara when the Mauritanian gendarmerie, on the orders of the local Wali, used tear gas and stun grenades to stop them....
Below is an article published by The New Yorker outlining the life and work of Biram Dah Abeid: Two springs ago, Biram Dah Abeid arrived home in Nouakchott, the desert capital of Mauritania. At the airport,...
Below is an article published by The New Yorker outlining the life and work of Biram Dah Abeid: Two springs ago, Biram Dah Abeid arrived home in Nouakchott, the desert capital of Mauritania....
Below is a press release published by the IRA-Mauritania: Having left Boghé in the South of Mauritania and after days of walking, a group of one hundred and fourteen (114) repatriates reached Nouakchott...
Below is an article based on a piece originally written in French by rfi.fr: In Nouakchott on Tuesday 29 April 2014, Haratin, who are descendants of slaves, gathered to demand more rights. It was the...
Below is an article published by Reuters: Mauritania will hold presidential elections on June 21 [2014], according to the presidency, despite a lack of agreement on the reform of election rules that some...
Below is an article by The Communication Commission: Biram Ould Dah Ould Abeid, President of the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist movement (IRA-Mauritania), United Nations 2013 Human...
Below is an article by International Humanist and Ethical Union: The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) has spoken out about slavery in Mauritania on several occasions at the United...
Below is an article published by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN: GENEVA (10 March 2014) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on slavery, Ms. Gulnara...
Below is an article by Front Line Defenders: On the morning of 24 February 2014, police officers arrested human rights defender Mr Cheikh ould Vall with no arrest warrant. They took him to the...
Biram Abeid’s speech at the Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy:
Below is an article written by UNPO: On 28 January 2014, Biram Dah Abeid, President of IRA-Mauritania (Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement) announced his candidature...
Please find below the announcement of Mr. Biram Dah Abeid’s candidature for the next presidential elections in Mauritania, which will be held in July 2014. Building an egalitarian and prosperous...
Below is an article by Global Post: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/131231/mauritania-set-slavery-tribunal-state-media Mauritania is to set up a special tribunal to prosecute suspects accused...
Praise the lord and peace be upon Prophet Mohamed Honorable Sirs and Madams, we can do nothing but greatly thank you, the UN and all its institutions, for having considered our case, the misery and plight...
Brussels, 2 December 2013 – In light of the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) wishes to commemorate the victims of contemporary...
The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) is happy to congratulate Mr. Biram Dah Abeid, President of IRA-Mauritania (Initiative pour la Résurgence du mouvement Abolitionniste), on...
Below is an article published by The New York Times: BOUTILIMIT, Mauritania — The protesters gathered in front of the low-slung police station, yelling “No to Slavery” and “Freedom.”...
The speech is available in English, French or Arabic Message to pro-slavery supporters of the society and the state in Mauritania Today, I would like to address the Mauritanian elites and the political...
Below is an article by Moneyweb: Mauritania has the highest prevalence of modern slavery in the world, according to the inaugural Global Slavery Index, with 14 other African countries also among...
Below is an article published by the IRA-Mauritania: (Translation by UNPO), updated 24/10/13 At the Munich Panafrican Congress, which takes place every two years in the capital of the German federal state...
For the occasion, the DROI secretariat put together an exceptional panel, gathering Mr. Biram Abeid of IRA Mauritania (Initiative for the resurgence of the abolitionist movement), Ms. Sarah Mathewson of...
Below is an article from IRA-Mauritanie Today September 30, 2013, in the city of Boutilimit, 150 km to the east of the capital Nouakchott, a unit of the gendarmerie and police came to attack a peaceful...
Below is an article published by UN OHCHR: “The process for developing the plan must be inclusive and participatory so that all involved can claim ownership over it and monitor its implementation;...
Below is an article published by IRA Mauritania This investigative day, of the aforementioned forms of human rights violations, of which the Haratin and black Mauritanians are victims, has allowed...
Below is an article published by Think African Press: “Slavery is alive and well in Mauritania” – Messaoud ould Boulkheir, President of Mauritania’s Parliament, May 2013. Google...
Below is an article published by IRA Mauritania The meeting took place on June 12, 2013. Generally speaking, both Mauritanian and foreign stakeholders have observed that slavery is still striking in Mauritania....
On Saturday 15 June, 2013, Biram Abeid was welcomed back to Mauritania by thousands of IRA supporters waiting for him at the Nouakchott international airport (pictures below). He was returning from...
During his month-long tour through Europe, starting with him receiving the Frontline Defenders Award, Biram Dah Abeid met with Belgian journalist Marie-France Cros of La Libre Belgique. The interview,...
Below is an article published by Minority Voices: The singer, who is accompanied by a chorus of drummers, sings about relations between women and men, social relationships, and issues that affect their...
--- Article in French at the bottom of this page / Article en Francais au bas de la page. --- Since the day he received the prestigious award of Front Line Defender on May 3, Biram Dah...
Thursday, 30th of June 2013, 18.00-19.45 Conference Room 4th Floor, Laan van Meerdervoort 70The Hague, the Netherlands On behalf of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization...
Below is an article published by Front Line Defenders: On Friday 3 May, President Michael D Higgins of Ireland presented the 2013 Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk to anti-slavery...
Letter of Congratulations ...
So as to ensure the success of these dockworkers’ campaign, IRA (Initiative pour la Résurgence du mouvement Abolitionniste) has called, in collaboration with UNPO, for several basic demands...
Below is an article published Minority Rights Group International . Even in 2013 there are still places in the world where people are born and die as slaves. Where belonging to a specific caste...
Below is an article published by IRA Mauritania: The anti-slavery organization Initiative pour la Résurgence du movement Abolitioniste (IRA)organized a Gala Match on Saturday 20th April, at the...
Below is an article published by Africanglobe : In this 21st century of ours, there is still a country where African men, women and children are “constitutionally” inferior and can be led...
Below is an article published by the IRA-Mauritania: Mohamed Ould ElKory, Mauritanian citizen, member of the Haratin community (slaves and former slaves), currently in Geneva, Switzerland. Letter To...
Below is an article published by IRA-Mauritania (translation from French by UNPO): It has been three days now that a palpable tension has become apparent in the surrounding of the Police Station of Tevragh...
Below is an article published by IRA-Mauritania (translation from French by UNPO): After showering the militants with tear gas, forcing them to leave the house where they were gathered, the police forces...
Below is an extract from the Q&A Press Session, 28/02/2013 published by France Diplomatie: Question- What do you think of the initiatives led by activists from IRA (Initiative for the Resurgence...
Below is an article published by National Post: The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) begins its annual session in Geneva today [25 February 2013] by once again disgracing itself through the appointment...
Below is an article published by IRA-Mauritania: On Wednesday, February 20, 2013, Biram Abeid welcomed Abdellahi Ould Lebchir (see picture) who came to confess his aim to murder IRA’s leader,...
Below is an article published by Cridem: The Liberty Ira’s President, Biram Dah Abeid, took the floor to thank everyone for showing their support to his organization, despite the pressure inflicted...
Below is an article published by IRA-Mauritania: IRA celebrated a landmark victory against the history of slavery in Mauritania following the imprisonment of Mrs. Rahma Mint Legreyve, an Arabo-Berber...
Below is an article published by IRA-Mauritania: IRA-Mauritania held a great sit in on Saturday, February 2nd, at the Brigade for youth in conflict with law. Hundreds of militants answered our call, and...
Below is an article published by IRA-Mauritania: During the "Caravan of freedom" from 24 to 28 January 2013, from the city of Nema in the far east of the country to Nouakchott, the capital, and...
Below is an article published by The Daily Targum: It’s 2013 and slavery still exists. What are your personal requirements of slavery? What do you need to make it real? Do you need proof?...
Below is a press release issued by IRA – Mauritania [translated by UNPO]: Anti-slavery activists have begun preparations for the 1000km long « liberty caravan » that will soon...
Below you can find a press release by the Initiative pour la Résurgence du mouvement Abolitionniste (IRA) Communication Commission. Press Release We at the Initiative pour la Résurgence...
On 20 December 2012, Biram Dah Abeid, human rights defender and president of the anti-slavery group ‘Initiative for the Resurgence of Abolitionism’ in Mauritania, returned from a visit to...
Below is an article published by UN Watch: UN Watch condemned today's [10 December 2012] election of Mauritania, a country that allows 800,000 of its citizens to live as slaves, as Vice-President of the...
More than thirty representatives of twelve UNPO Members (Afrikaner, Ahwazi, Assyria, Crimean Tatars, East Turkestan, Haratin, Hmong, Iranian Kurdistan, Iraqi Kurdistan, Khmer Krom, Ogaden, and West Balochistan)...
The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery was celebrated on Sunday 2 December. It marks the anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons...
Dozens of people, mainly IRA-Mauritanie (Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement) and the Observatory for Mauritania youth against social disparity militants...
The article below was published by OHCHR: Mohamed El Hor Abeidy, from the Haratin community in the West African nation of Mauritania, was one of nine participants in the UN Human Rights Office...
Below is a press release published by UNPO: Brussels, 15 October 2012 A roundtable discussion on Contemporary Slavery in Mauritania was organised by the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization...
Slavery in Mauritania Exploring Traditional Slavery in the Contemporary Context 15.00 – 18.00 Wednesday, 10 October 2012 Room A7H1, Altiero Spinelli Building, European Parliament, Brussels Despite...
Below is a press release published by IRA-Mauritanie: Against a backdrop of sham popular demonstrations prodded by the executive power and the political class, majority and opposition alike, the IRA president,...
Please find below a press release published by the IRA: l’Initiative pour la Résurgence du mouvement Abolitionniste Press Release IRA –Mauritania The President of « Initiative...
Below is an article published by UNPO: UNPO and the Initiative de Résurgence du Mouvement Abolitionniste en Mauritanie (IRA) submitted a joint report to the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural...
Below is an article published by the Rockland County Times: Though human trafficking has received significant attention over the past few years, a different form of slavery has gone largely unnoticed...
Below is a joint statement released by SOS – Esclaves and IRA – Mauritanie: Initially launched by the UNESCO, the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition...
Brussels, 23 August 2012 – On the occasion of the 2012 UNESCO International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and of its Abolition, the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO)...
Below is an article published by The Guardian: Mbarka Mint Aheimed first met her father on the day he forced her into slavery. The man who dragged her from her mother when she was aged five needed "a...
Djiby Sow, president of KAWTAL YELITAREE, denounced the staunch opposition of the president of the Republic against righteous men who are unfairly arrested for book-burning reason, while the real reason...
Below is the EU High Representative’s letter: Dear Colleagues, Thank you for the Letter of 26 June concerning the trial of Mr. Biram Dah Ould Abeid in Mauritania. The European External Action...
Below is an article published by New Internationalist Blog: In the small desert country of Mauritania in Africa, under the scorching sun, slavery still exists. But so does Brahim Bilal Ebeid, a social...
Brussels, 10 July 2012 - Brahim Bilal, Vice President of the anti–slavery movement in Mauritania, “Initiative de Résurgence du Mouvement Abolitionniste” (IRA), accompanied...
Below is an article published by Daily News Egypt: Protesters gathered in the Mauritanian capital on 8 July 2012 demanding the release of seven activists who have been detained since April, and end to...
Almost two months after their arrest, the human rights defender and President of the “Initiative de Résurgence du Mouvement Abolitionniste” (IRA), the main anti–Slavery Movement...
Below is an article published by Front Line Defenders: A trial in which human rights defender Mr Biram Ould Dah Ould Abeid and six other colleagues are accused of “threatening state security”...
Press Release The burning of certain books belonging to the Malikite branch of jurisprudence has triggered an upsurge of criticism, denunciation, defamation and sometimes slanders. These reactions have...
Below is an article by John D. Sutter and Edythe McNamee, published by CNN International: Dozens of CNN iReporters recently uploaded videos of themselves telling escaped slaves in Mauritania that...
Over one month has passed since human rights defender and anti-slavery activist Mr Biram Dah Abeid has been detained. On 29 May 2012 at midnight, he and his ten fellow prisoners were presented before the...
One month after human rights defender Mr Biram Dah Abeid was arrested, a peaceful anti-slavery march was violently cracked down. Several activists were severely injured, as was the wife of Mr. Abeid,...
Contemporary Slavery: Understanding the New Face to an Old Evil * * * European Parliament Conference Reveals Need for Improved Data and Analysis as EU Publishes...
Below is an article published by Radio Chine Internationale: Biram Ould Dah, president of the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement in Mauritania (IRA), was arrested by the police...
Below is an article published by CNN: As a member of Mauritania's slave-owning class, Abdel Nasser Ould Ethmane could have had anything he wanted as a present for his circumcision ceremony: a toy, money,...
Below is an article published by Afrique en ligne: Several supporters of the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA), a Mauritanian NGO campaigning for the end of slavery...
Below is an article published by The Open Society Foundations: Slavery in Mauritania is not what most people envision when they hear the word. There are no slave markets; people are not bought and sold...
Below is an article published by UNPO: UNPO and the Initiative de Résurgence du Mouvement Abolitionniste en Mauritanie (IRA) submitted a joint report this month to the Committee...
The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) is an international, nonviolent and democratic membership organisation. Its Members are indigenous peoples, minorities, unrecognised States and occupied territories that have joined together to defend their political, social and cultural rights, to preserve their environments and to promote their right to self-determination.
