UN Special Rapporteur on Migrants’ Rights Welcomes Mauritania’s Efforts To Address Migration Challenges

Mr. Jihad Madi, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Migrants, has welcomed measures by the Mauritanian government to address migration challenges. These measures include laws to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling, the creation of reception centers, and strengthened search and rescue operations at sea.

In a statement released on 12 September at the end of his visit to Mauritania, the UN Special Rapporteur pledged to continue cooperating with the Mauritanian authorities, United Nations partners, and civil society actors to support the implementation of necessary reforms in this area.

He stated that technical and financial support from the international community is crucial for Mauritania to strengthen its capacity to address migrant-related issues. He called for increased support to humanitarian agencies, such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), as well as civil society organizations, to meet the growing needs of migrants.

He emphasized that he had identified certain areas that required further effort. The government affirmed its willingness to address them, such as raising awareness of anti-migrant smuggling laws and building the capacities of governmental and non-governmental actors, as he put it.

Mr. Jihad Madi presented a set of recommendations that he considered necessary to help address the challenges related to migrants.