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afrol News, 9 August - Mauritanian lawmakers yesterday outlawed slavery in the desert country. With effect, those found promoting slavery or practising the century old culture will face between five and 10 years in prison.

The leader of the anti-slavery group, SOS-Esclaves, Boubacar Ould Messaoud, expressed satisfaction about the development, describing it as “a great victory for the democrats and the people of Mauritania."

He also praised the government and president of Mauritania for ensuring that slavery is finally outlawed in the country, after years of struggles and appeals.

The culture was first abolished by a presidential decree in 1981. However, the decree is not supported by any criminal act, prompting human rights bodies to mount pressures on the Mauritanian government to criminalise the act.

Some anti-slave activists believe that over 500,000 slaves exist in Mauritania, enough reasons for offenders to carry harsh penalties.

For some activists, the passed law should have been more strict and emcompass forced marriage and debt labour.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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