Statement of the Mauritanian Network for Human Rights in the United States (MMHRUS)
On November 28, 2024, Mauritania celebrated the 64th anniversary of its independence. However, this date remains forever marked by a tragic event: the hanging of 28 non-Arab Black soldiers in Inal in 1990, on the eve of the country’s 30th anniversary. This act, symbolizing a systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing targeting non-Arab Black communities in public administration and the armed forces, left an indelible mark on the recent history of our country.
Since then, November 28 has been a day of mourning and remembrance for these communities. Across Mauritania, widows, orphans, victims’ relatives, and ordinary citizens who cherish justice gather to demand truth and justice. Yet, these legitimate calls are met year after year with brutal repression by the authorities.
This year, once again, peaceful demonstrations in Bababé to honor the victims were suppressed through a campaign of terror led by the national gendarmerie, characterized by violence, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests. Credible testimonies report widespread intimidation, sadly reminiscent of the events of June 2024 in Kaédi, where four young Mauritanians were killed in gendarmerie custody during the presidential election.
In light of this alarming situation, the Mauritanian Network for Human Rights in the US:
- Demands the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained individuals.
- Calls for the immediate lifting of the siege imposed on the affected localities and an end to the intimidation of the population.
- Urges the evacuation of the injured to appropriate medical facilities for proper care.
- Calls for an independent and impartial investigation to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the violence.
- Demands the repeal of Amnesty Law 93-23 of June 14, 1993, which constitutes a major obstacle to justice for crimes committed between the late 1980s and early 1990s, including the hangings of the 28 soldiers in Inal.
These abuses only revive the wounds of the past and perpetuate a cycle of impunity that hinders any sustainable national reconciliation. We call on the international community not to turn a blind eye to these flagrant human rights violations and to support Mauritanian citizens’ efforts to achieve justice and reparation.
Together, we commit to working for a future where the fundamental rights of all Mauritanians are respected.
For justice and dignity,
