Mauritania’s human rights record has come under scrutiny following the enforced disappearance and violation of rights of activist Youba Siby.

Development Diaries reports that Siby, who was arrested in Senegal on 14 September, 2023, was a victim of enforced disappearance for 20 days, while the government failed to provide any information as to his fate or whereabouts.

The United States 2022 Country Report on Human Rights Practices: Mauritania revealed that the country faces human rights issues such as harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; arbitrary arrests; serious restrictions on free expression and media, including criminal blasphemy laws; serious government corruption amongst many others.

Amnesty International, in a 2019 report, disclosed that the Mauritanian authorities continued to restrict human rights as human rights defenders, journalists, bloggers and political activists were subjected to intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrests and detentions.

It is understood that Siby is being kept in the Nouakchott Civil Prison without access to a lawyer and without a way to get in touch with his loved ones.

He will be prosecuted for ‘inciting hatred’ and ‘undermining the morale of the defence forces’ through his social media posts, according to Amnesty International records.

Freedom House rated Mauritania as ‘partly free’ in its Freedom in the World 2023 report, with the country scoring 36 out of 100 points.

It is important to note that Mauritania ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR) in 2004 and the Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED), which it ratified in 2012.

To this end, Development Diaries calls on the Mauritania government to respect the provisions of its national laws and international rights treaties and grant Siby access to a lawyer and his family.

Source: Amnesty International

Photo source: Senego