No one in the aera sees it as a good thing.


The Mauritanian government must take additional measures to ensure a new law criminalizing slavery has an effect, human rights activists say.

"The new law is a very positive first step. It is only a first step though," said Romana Cacchioli, Africa Program Coordinator for the British nongovernmental pressure group, Anti-Slavery International. "We don't eradicate slavery just by introducing a law."

On Aug. 8, Mauritania's National Assembly unanimously adopted a law criminalizing slavery, which continues to exist in Mauritania in both traditional and contemporary forms. The law, passed by the Senate on Aug. 22, makes slavery punishable by 5-10 years in prison. It marks the first time in Mauritanian history that slaveholders have been sanctioned.


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THis is the first I've even heard of this country.

Mauritania is one of those West Africa sub-Saharan countries and slavery has been a way of life in the region since the 1600's. Good to see that they are addressing the subject. I do nogt look for much success, but at least it is in the news and maybe will get more awareness.

I guess the French weren't very successful so they turned tail and left.

The French alloowed the trade to continue, as long as they got what they wanted out of the colony, which, BTW, is not mush more than a desert, so what resources they wefre after, not many can say.