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Mauritanian MPs pass slavery law | Mauritanian MPs pass slavery law |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Mauritania's parliament has unanimously passed legislation making the practice of slavery punishable by up to 10 years in prison. | Mauritania's parliament has unanimously passed legislation making the practice of slavery punishable by up to 10 years in prison. |
The new law also stipulates that anyone found guilty of promoting or being an apologist for slavery could face two years in jail. | The new law also stipulates that anyone found guilty of promoting or being an apologist for slavery could face two years in jail. |
A Mauritanian anti-slavery group, SOS Slavery, welcomed the law as a victory for the people of Mauritania. | A Mauritanian anti-slavery group, SOS Slavery, welcomed the law as a victory for the people of Mauritania. |
Slavery persists in parts of Mauritania even though it was banned in 1981. | Slavery persists in parts of Mauritania even though it was banned in 1981. |
A presidential decree abolished the practice, which has existed for centuries in Mauritania, but no criminal laws were passed to enforce the ban. | A presidential decree abolished the practice, which has existed for centuries in Mauritania, but no criminal laws were passed to enforce the ban. |
Human rights groups say despite official denials the practice continues and is widespread. | Human rights groups say despite official denials the practice continues and is widespread. |
'Important change' | 'Important change' |
Boubacar Ould Messaoud, leader of SOS Slavery, said the law was very important for the country. | Boubacar Ould Messaoud, leader of SOS Slavery, said the law was very important for the country. |
We did all the hard work for our master and all we received in return was beatings Mohamedescaped Mauritanian slave Mauritania's best kept secret | |
"We have been demanding this law for a very long time and we are very happy that the National Assembly has passed this law. | "We have been demanding this law for a very long time and we are very happy that the National Assembly has passed this law. |
"We now have legislation which not only defends slaves, but punishes the practice of slavery. It is an important change." | "We now have legislation which not only defends slaves, but punishes the practice of slavery. It is an important change." |
SOS Slavery says there could be up to 600,000 slaves - many of them used as bonded labour - in Mauritania. | SOS Slavery says there could be up to 600,000 slaves - many of them used as bonded labour - in Mauritania. |
That would add up to 20% of the population although the BBC's Ed Horton says those figures are difficult to verify. | That would add up to 20% of the population although the BBC's Ed Horton says those figures are difficult to verify. |
Before the new law was passed, the Anti-Slavery International group welcomed the Mauritanian government's initiative but said the proposed law was too weak. | Before the new law was passed, the Anti-Slavery International group welcomed the Mauritanian government's initiative but said the proposed law was too weak. |
The group urged the government to include contemporary aspects of slavery - such as forced marriage, indentured labour or debt bondage. | The group urged the government to include contemporary aspects of slavery - such as forced marriage, indentured labour or debt bondage. |
And the organisation said the maximum jail term should be 30 years and new laws should allow for reparation payments to the victims. | And the organisation said the maximum jail term should be 30 years and new laws should allow for reparation payments to the victims. |
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