National Human Rights Commission Denies SOS Slaves Recent Allegations

The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) held a news conference, Sunday evening in Nouakchott, during which it denied what was stated in a statement published by the SOS Slaves Organization last week about allegations of slavery glorification and contempt for human dignity during a social event in Wadane, Adrar region.

CNDH said that it, accompanied by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in its capacity as an observer and consultant, paid a field visit to the district of Wadane, after it requested through a letter to the SOS Slaves on 30 March to participate in revealing the truth without receiving any response from the organization.

The commission recorded the testimonies of several people who attended the wedding ceremony and had no evidence of the SOS Slaves’ allegations regarding what could be considered glorification of slavery during that social event.

CNDH stressed that it adheres to its principles and will positively communicate with civil society organizations and human rights activists on all human rights issues, especially the issue of slavery, hoping that human rights activists will do the necessary to ensure the credibility of the information published on their own initiative.