Construction of classrooms in existing schools, 48 additional classrooms in 15 schools

Facility	Location
3 classrooms, boundary wall and latrine, Daghveg commune	Barkéwol
3 classrooms in Daghveg, Boghé commune	Boghé
2 classrooms in Bassinguidi, Male commune	Magta Lahjar
3 classrooms in Tendel, Dionaba commune	Magta Lahjar
3 classrooms in El Wassaa, Dionaba commune	Magta Lahjar
3 classrooms in Mohamed Zein, Dionaba commune	Magta Lahjar
2 classrooms in Zreigatt, Hassi Chegar commune	Sélibaby
2 blocks of 2 classrooms in Hassi Sidi, Tachot commune	Sélibaby
2 blocks of 3 classrooms at the secondary school in Mônguel, Mônguel commune	Mônguel
2 classrooms for village group around Toungad, Oujeft commune	Oujeft
3 classrooms in Tirebane, Oujeft commune	Oujeft
3 classrooms in Legned, Soudoud commune	Moudjéria
3 classrooms in Kehmeit, Soudoud commune	Moudjéria
3 classrooms, Dakhlet Init	Moudjéria

Health — Local clinics set up: 20

Facility	Location
Clinic in Ajar El Bouhli in Barkéwol commune	Barkéwol
Clinic in Touymiret Lemarid, Bou Gadoum commune	Amourj
Clinic in Nbeya Savra	Timbedra
Clinic in Elmahrad, Ksar el Barka commune	Djiguenni
Clinic in Koussana	Bassikounou
Construction of clinic in Voulaniya, Hodh el Gharbi	Touïl
Clinic in Teichet, Touïl commune	Ṭinṭâne
Clinic for the Breima village group, Bghawa and Baizir	Touïl
Clinic in Niayliya	Ṭinṭâne
Clinic for the Galb El Kheir village group	Ṭinṭâne
Clinic for the Hassi Lekwar village group	Ṭinṭâne
Clinic in Afodiar Nouazir	Mônguel
Clinic in Zguelim commune	Mônguel
Clinic in Daghveg	Boghé
Clinic in Bassinguidi, Male commune	Magta Lahjar
Clinic in Tendel	Mahta Lahjar
Construction of a clinic in Nteichit, Trarza	Boutilimit
Construction of a clinic in Jidr Mohguen, Trarza	Rosso
Clinic in Zira, Atar commune	Atar
Clinic in Daber	Moudjéria
Clinic in Timbreihim	Moudjéria

Boreholes drilled: 39.

Safe drinking water systems installed: 18.

Boreholes: Number of boreholes drilled: 39

•3 in Brakna including safe drinking water system (Tendel — 3.5 m3/h, Sed Gadel — 4 m3/h, Agmeimine — 4 m3/h)

•2 in Hodh el Gharbi (Bounya — 10 m3/h and Hassi Lekwar — 14 m3/h)

•2 in Gorgol including small drinking water systems (Afodiar village group, Mônguel) with flow rates of 3 m3/h and 7.5m3/h respectively, plus 2 additional boreholes in Afodiar with flow rates of 7 m3/h and 2.8m3/h respectively

•6 boreholes in Hodh el Gharbi — Tegowdit, flow rate 5 m3/h (Touil); Lighatha, flow rate 5 m3/h (Touil); Messiel Gourvave, flow rate 10 m3/h (Touïl); Lehreija, flow rate 6 m3/h (Touïl); Lembeidie, flow rate 10 m3/h (Touïl); Baghdad, no flow rate (Touïl)

•1 borehole in Assaba (Gdemballa) with a flow rate of 5 m3/h

•2 boreholes for the Tenkarra village group, Radhi commune, Tamchekett, Hodh el Gharbi in Reyoug and Nichane. The Reyoug project duplicated the Agency for the Promotion of Universal Access to Services project. Reyoug flow rate: 7 m3/h; Nichane flow rate: 5 m3/h

•2 boreholes in Tendewali 1 (18 m3/h) and Tendewali 2 (7 m3/h) in the town of Chinguitty

•4 agricultural wells in Tagant

•2 boreholes to supplement the catchment area in the town of Tidjikja under a tender let by the National Water Corporation

•2 boreholes in Binihmik (Ghoudiya) and Guelaga, Soudoud commune, Moudjéria in Tagant

•10 boreholes in the wilayas of the two Hodhs, Tagant, Brakna and Guidimagha, as follows:

•1 borehole in the settlement of Ajouer (8 m3/h), Boutilimit, Trarza

Safe drinking water systems: Safe drinking water systems installed 18

Drinking water grid in settlements in Afodiar, Mônguel, Gorgol

Drinking water grids in the settlements of Agmamime, Sad Gadel and Tendel, Maghta Lahjar in Brakna

•3 drinking water systems installed as part of the Lehdada Programme reassigned to the National Directorate for Rural Water Supply in the settlements of Blajmil (Guidimagha), Lemen (Hodh el Gharbi) and Samassak (Hodh ech Chargui)

•Construction of a water tower with a capacity of 150 m3 in Moudjéria

•Drinking water system in Guedmballa 2, Leweissi commune, Drinking water system in Tegowdit, Touïl, Hodh el Gharbi

•Drinking water system in Lihreija, Touïl, Hodh el Gharbi

•Drinking water system in El Bounya, Ain Varba, Hodh el Gharbi

•Drinking water system in Reyoug 2, Radhi commune, Tamchekett, Hodh el Gharbi

•Drinking water system in Nichane, Radhi commune, Tamchekett, Hodh el Gharbi

•Drinking water system in Lighatha, Touïl, Hodh el Gharbi

•Drinking water system in Messiel Guervave, Touïl, Hodh el Gharbi

•Drinking water system in Hassi Lekwar, Ain Varba, Hodh el Gharbi

•Drinking water system in Lembedie, Touïl, Hodh el Gharbi

Dams constructed: 6

•Legned, Male commune, Maghta Lahjar, Brakna

•Jikh, Mônguel in Gorgol

•Daber, Soudoud commune, Moudjéria moughataa, Tagant

•Akneikir, Tamourt Naaj commune, Moudjéria moughataa in Tagant

•Chlakh Lihmir, Maghta Lahjar moughataa, in Brakna

•Louebda, Akjoujt

Agricultural development projects completed: 6

•Debaye Mbeynik, 80 ha, Ntekane commune, Rkiz, Trarza

•Mbotto, 81 ha, Mbagne commune, Mbagne commune, Mbagne moughataa, Brakna

•Ngourdiane, 70 ha, Dar El Barka commune; Boghé moughataa, Brakna

•Thinguelèl, 40 ha, Mbagne commune; Mbagne moughataa in Brakna

•Sénékouna/Medina, 40 ha, Aéré Mbar commune; Bababé moughataa, Brakna

•Ndiorol, 60 ha, Dar El Avia commune; Boghé moughataa, Brakna

17.Over the past five years, social protection has seen positive institutional developments, including through the adoption of the national social protection strategy in 2014. The Strategy proposes a long-term vision and a road map for the establishment of an integrated social protection system, operationalized by, inter alia, a project to support social safety nets, including the national programme of social transfers. To better target potential beneficiaries of social protection services, a national poverty register is being prepared. Social protection is an important issue for Mauritania. The system’s institutional anchorage and targeted approach will be crucial. As an important management and coordination tool, it will have a significant impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of social protection.

18.Other actions of note include: (i) the implementation of several projects and initiatives under social safety net programmes for the most vulnerable social groups (Emel programme, school canteens and cash transfers); (ii) cash transfers to care for and support destitute patients living with chronic diseases; (iii) promotion and protection of the rights of the child and persons with disabilities; (iv) cash transfer services for children with multiple disabilities, and financing of income-generating activities for hundreds of persons with disabilities; (v) improving the functional independence of persons with disabilities through the free distribution of technical aids; (vi) free medical care for destitute patients (including dialysis patients) in national hospitals and abroad (with financial support in the latter cases); (vii) the establishment of a database of beneficiaries of social assistance and (viii) the advancement of the social and economic status of women: adoption of the national gender mainstreaming strategy in 2015 and its implementation.

(c)

19.The body of national legislation enshrines the prohibition of all forms of discrimination. All segregation is firmly condemned, as reflected in the establishment of an independent human rights institution in line with the Paris Principles and the adoption of laws criminalizing slavery and slavery-like practices, suppressing human trafficking, criminalizing torture and establishing a national mechanism for the prevention of torture.

20.The Constitution prohibits any racial or ethnic discrimination and recognizes citizens’ civil, political, economic and social rights.

21.A bill criminalizing discrimination has been submitted to the Government for approval. Article 1 of the bill defines discrimination as “any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference which has or may have the purpose or effect of nullifying, compromising or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social and cultural fields or any other realm of social life.”

22.Mauritania remains committed to the guiding principles and values of the international fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

23.Mauritanian law prohibits all incitement to acts of racial discrimination. It contains a series of provisions declaring punishable by law all dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or hatred, any incitement to racial discrimination, as well as all acts of violence or provocation against any race or group of persons of another colour or ethnic origin, and also the provision of any assistance to racist activities.

24.The provisions on freedom of the press ban any publications or discourse that incite hatred or ethnic and regional prejudices.

25.The law on political parties requires parties to refrain from any incitement to intolerance or violence and from any propaganda intended to undermine territorial integrity or national unity.

26.The State has taken legislative and regulatory measures to combat discrimination through the following actions:

•The adoption of legislation criminalizing slavery and punishing slavery-like practices

•The adoption of a road map and action plan for the eradication of contemporary forms of slavery

•The adoption of legislation on legal aid and the development of a national strategy on access to justice to facilitate its implementation

•The criminalization of torture and the establishment of a national mechanism for its prevention

•The operationalization of the National Human Rights Commission, in line with the Paris Principles

•The implementation of the Convention against Torture and its optional protocol

•The lifting of all restrictions on the freedom of association, including recognition of the organizations that are members of the National Forum for Human Rights Organizations

•The decriminalization of press offences

•The harmonization of provisions relating to nationality

•The prohibition of discrimination in access to public services and employment

27.Mauritania has incorporated in its anti-discrimination strategy the recommendations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and those of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

28.The Labour Code enshrines the principle of non-discrimination and expressly establishes equality of access to employment. It prohibits any discrimination, distinction, exclusion or preference based on race, national origin, colour, sex, religion, political opinion or social background.

29.The Government does not support or tolerate any acts of racial discrimination. The functioning of the State and public institutions is governed by the Constitution, which prohibits and criminalizes racial discrimination. This prohibition is enshrined in the Act regulating the civil service, the main legislation governing the functioning of public administration in Mauritania.

30.Under the international human rights conventions ratified by Mauritania, public institutions are obliged to prohibit and combat discrimination.

31.The Criminal Code addresses discrimination in section II, on crimes and offences against individuals. Chapter 1 of the Code, on crimes and offences against the person, allows judges to draw on a wide range of criminal sanctions in order to punish any racist practice in a manner commensurate with its gravity.

(d)

32.The Malian refugee populations are housed in the M’berra camp, Bassikounou moughataa, on the border between Mauritania and Mali. The camp is managed jointly by the Government of Mauritania and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The populations there receive assistance in all areas (health, education, water and sanitation, food, security, etc.). The Government and its partners make every effort to ensure that women and their rights are protected.

33.In conclusion, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania wishes the information provided to be taken into account and remains ready to participate in a constructive dialogue with the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the observations and recommendations made to it following the presentation of its report at the fifty-eighth session of the Committee, held in Geneva in 2014.