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and providing documented informations on human rights' violation in Mauritania
 

Protests in Washington and New York against the coup d’etat
Washington and New York, 25|26 August 2008

Washington D.C. witnessed on August 25th 2008 a protest against the coup d’etat that took place in Mauritania on August 6th 2008. Several organizations defending human rights and civil liberties participated in the protest under the umbrella of the Union for the Restoration of Legitimacy.

The Mauritanian Human Rights Watch was one of the main organizers of this event. The MHRW contributed with signs and banners condemning the coup and asking for the restoration of the elected president Mr. Sidi Mohamed Ould Sheikh Abdellah to his constitutional position. The MHRW was represented by its president Mr. Mohamed Vall Ould Mohamed Mahmoud who affirmed the systematic rejection of coup d’etat.

The President of MHRW met also Mr. Don Heflin, deputy director African affairs at the American Department of State who attended the protest and affirmed to the MHRW and other participants in the protest that the US government does not recognize the coup d’etat and wants the restoration of the constitutional legitimacy in Mauritania .

The president of the MHRW delivered a copy of a press release from the MHRW addressed to the Secretary of Sate the Hon. Condoleezza Rice. The protest was covered by Al-Jazeera TV Channel whose correspondent was present. A similar protest was conducted on August 26th in front of the United Nations building in New York City . The MHRW participated in the New York protest as well.