a civil rights forum, defending victims of oppression and prisoners of conscience,
and providing documented informations on human rights' violation in Mauritania
 

About the targeting of some tribes in the wake of the attempted coup
NO to the policy of targeting tribes - 22/06/2003

Recent news and information from Mauritania repeatedly reported on consistent targeting of the "Awlad Annasir" tribe by the Mauritanian authorities. Professionals from this tribe -civilian and military alike- have been fired, arrested and subjected to various inhuman and ill treatments and humiliation.. all of that on the basis of suspicion and presumption of conspiracy, not on the basis of evidence and hard facts. It has also been reported that some captured soldiers have been killed with cold blood without any form of trial.

At the MHRW, since our mission is to defend all oppressed Mauritanians, regardless of their social backgrounds or political orientations, we confirm:
· Rejection of the seize of power or withholding it by force. We believe REAL democracy, not a corrupted one, is the only way to choose a legal authority to run the country
· Our condemnation of all forms of mass targeting to any tribe or ethnic group. We believe in individual responsibility and liability. We also warn of the potential dangers of mass targeting on the future of peace between the communities.
· Our belief that wisdom and mercy, not reprisals and revenge, are the only way to regain stability and harmony and to the healing and recovery after the last attempted coup.
· We call upon all political and social forces to assume their moral responsibilities in defending each and every oppressed, be it an individual or a group, and to reject the use of the latest events (attempted coup) as a pretext to "settle" previous disputes and implement disharmony.
· Our agreement with the Federation for International Human Rights (FIDH) and the African Forum for the Defence of Human Rights (RADDHO) that the attempted coup should not be used as a pretext for further human rights abuse