Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families

Forty-first session

Geneva, 1–12 December 2025

Consideration of reports submitted by States Parties under article 73 of the Convention

Replies of Mauritania to the list of issues in relation to its second periodic report *

[Date received: 24 June 2025]

I.Introduction

1.The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families examined the second periodic report of Mauritania on the measures taken to give effect to the provisions of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, and on the progress made in the exercise of those rights.

2.Subsequently, the Committee submitted a list of issues in relation to the report (CMW/C/MRT/Q/2), in which it requested further information prior to the report’s consideration.

3.The present document provides information in response to the questions raised in the aforementioned list of issues.

II.Replies to the list of issues (CMW/C/MRT/Q/2)

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 1

4.The National Migration Management Strategy was adopted by the Government in June 2011 to cover a five-year period (2011–2015). It was the result of a wide-ranging process of consultation and reflection involving all governmental and non-governmental actors. In 2024, the Government revised the Strategy to adapt it to the new challenges in the area of migration governance. The update takes into account, among other things, the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, adopted in Marrakech in December 2018, as well as the country’s ratification, on 23 September 2019, of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Migrant Workers Convention, 1975 (No. 143). In addition, it reflects the commitment of Mauritania, as a pathfinder country, to Alliance 8.7.

5.The Strategy’s action plan has been updated through consultation with and active participation of the various stakeholders. The action plan translates the various strategic areas of focus into components, actions or projects and expected results. It shows the overall cost per component, broken down by project. In addition, project summary sheets have been drawn up to facilitate implementation of the action plan. The Strategy’s costed updated action plan for the period 2021–2025 requires resources amounting to 1,094,924,250 ouguiyas (UM).

6.Immediate and concrete measures have been implemented by the various departments concerned, notably the Ministry of Civil Service and Labour. These measures are aimed at eradicating forced labour, ending modern slavery and human trafficking by 2030, securing the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour and, by the end of 2025, ending child labour in all its forms.

7.The protection of migrant workers is a priority for the Government, given the role of Mauritania as a pathfinder country in Alliance 8.7; its efforts in this regard are supported by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation within the framework of the ILO project concerning support for equitable migration for the Maghreb, under the leadership of the Ministry of Civil Service and Labour.

8.In connection with the implementation of ILO Convention No. 143, the Ministry of Civil Service and Labour has organized several communication and awareness-raising campaigns on the import of ratification and the related challenges in regions with a high concentration of migrant workers (Nouadhibou, Rosso, Sélibabi and Aioun), targeting employers’, workers’ and government representatives in these regions, in association with local authorities and the security forces.

9.At the institutional level, the National Agency on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants recently launched a process to draw up a national action plan to combat migrant smuggling that takes into account the commitments of Mauritania to protect smuggled migrants.

10.The Specialized Court to Combat Slavery, Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants was established pursuant to Act No. 2024-039, with the aim of achieving a set of objectives and principles relating to the proper administration of justice and ensuring greater efficiency in the handling of cases of slavery, human trafficking and migrant smuggling; this will be done through the introduction of reforms to the number, composition and operation of the specialized anti-slavery courts established pursuant to Act No. 2015-031 of 10 September 2015 on the Criminalization of Slavery and the Punishment of Slavery-like Practices.

11.The application of the latter law for more than eight years had revealed the need to fill certain gaps in order to overcome the difficulties and obstacles that prevented it from being fully effective. The aim of the reforms is to create a specialized court with national jurisdiction, which will enable the following specific objectives to be achieved:

(a)Harmonization of the national judicial response to the phenomena in question (until now, slavery offences have been dealt with by the three specialized anti-slavery courts, while human trafficking and migrant smuggling have been dealt with by other ordinary, non-specialized courts);

(b)Professionalization of the courts’ handling of cases of slavery, human trafficking and migrant smuggling;

(c)Strengthening of the protection of human rights, in accordance with the Constitution and the commitments arising from the international instruments ratified in this area;

(d)Bringing of criminal justice closer to citizens and to victims of such acts in particular;

(e)Removal of jurors from the composition of the court and abolition of the system of voting, which gives rise to debates about accountability and can hamper proceedings;

(f)Establishment of a single-judge panel to deal with misdemeanours and a panel of three professional judges to deal with felonies and cases of a certain seriousness and/or complexity;

(g)Creation of a specialized public prosecutor’s office and an investigative unit attached to the court;

(h)Rationalization of the court’s budget and staffing, and specialization of these staff;

(i)Establishment of the accountability of the chair of the panel;

(j)Standardization and consolidation of case law and good practice in the fields of human rights and protection of vulnerable groups.

12.Lastly, the aim is to promote an effective and efficient criminal policy that protects victims’ rights, combats impunity and simplifies and expedites proceedings.

13.These efforts culminated in the adoption of Joint Order No. 00590/2025 of 30 May 2025 on standard operating procedures for the search and rescue of migrants at sea and their subsequent care. In accordance with new article 3 of Act No. 2024-038 of 8 October 2024 amending certain provisions of Act No. 65-046 of 23 February 1965 on Criminal Provisions relating to Immigration, the Order sets out the standard operating procedures applicable to the disembarkation, registration and care of migrants rescued at sea and brought to Mauritania.

14.These strategies and programmes are the responsibility of ministerial departments, such as the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Civil Service and Labour, and of the Commission on Human Rights, all of which have the human and financial resources needed to carry out their tasks.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 2

15.The National Human Rights Commission is an independent, autonomous, multi-member, consultative institution established under the Constitution with advisory, monitoring, early warning, mediation and evaluation functions in the area of human rights. The Commission is governed by Organic Act No. 2017-016 of 5 July 2017, which defines its composition, organization and functioning.

16.It currently enjoys category A status, granted by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions in accordance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles). This status affords it greater independence and allows it to conduct a wider range of investigations; the Commission has become a national partner for international human rights mechanisms and a pivotal element in the country’s human rights protection systems.

17.The Commission owes its position to the legislative and administrative measures taken by the Government, particularly the 2017 legal reform proposed by the Government to consolidate its independence and the financial subsidy granted to it each year from the State budget, which enables it to carry out its functions appropriately.

18.The Commission has a mechanism for receiving and processing complaints of human rights violations, with a dedicated toll-free number. It regularly visits detention centres, including administrative holding centres for migrants, in all parts of the country, including the economic capital Nouadhibou.

19.At the time of the operation to deport migrants in an irregular situation, as provided for in the regulations in force, the Commission in March 2025 visited all the administrative holding centres in Nouakchott where such persons were detained. The aim of the visits was to assess the conditions in which migrants in an irregular situation are apprehended, detained, accommodated and deported, in order to ensure that the human rights and dignity of such persons are respected.

20.At the end of the visits, the Commission made the following observations:

(a)Detention conditions are decent: access to food and safe drinking water is guaranteed, means of transport are comfortable and the premises are airy and spacious;

(b)The migrants interviewed did not mention any ill-treatment;

(c)The Commission noted with satisfaction the explanations provided by the authorities, which were confirmed by certain facts, concerning the guarantees available to migrants who challenge the legitimacy of their detention. They have the opportunity to produce evidence in their favour, which may lead to their deportation being suspended while their situation is examined;

(d)The Commission also praised the emergency care provided to migrants in detention centres.

21.As for human and financial resources, the Commission has a staff and an annual budget line of UM 167,063,720, which is included in the 2025 Finance Act.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 3

22.The Government is giving serious consideration to the recommendation made by the Committee in its previous concluding observations for Mauritania to consider making the declarations provided for in articles 76 and 77 of the Convention.

23.It should nevertheless be recalled that Mauritania has ratified all the major human rights treaties, as well as a number of ILO conventions. It has also acceded to several key covenants and protocols while producing the required reports within the established time frames, despite the challenges posed by a lack of resources to meet the obligations arising from the ratification of new instruments.

24.As it has always reaffirmed, the priority for Mauritania remains the alignment of its national legislation with the provisions of the international conventions it has already ratified. In this context, a special effort has been made to revise and harmonize laws and regulations, a process to which an in-depth study was devoted in 2021 with a view to proposing a road map in consultation with all the actors concerned. This initiative is aimed at analysing and identifying non-compliant texts, proposing new legal provisions and creating a dynamic database to monitor the development of the United Nations instruments to which Mauritania is a party.

25.While taking into account the constraints and the resources available, the Government is pursuing the gradual and realistic implementation of the road map, which it intends to evaluate with a view to harmonizing its legal framework with the conventions ratified.

26.Mauritania has not ratified the ILO Migration for Employment Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 97), but it has ratified the ILO Migrant Workers Convention, 1975 (No. 143), which reflects and supplements its provisions, and the ILO Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111).

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 4

27.Since 2019, the National Agency for Statistics, Demographic and Economic Analysis has entered into a partnership agreement with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), covering the collection of migration data. As part of this collaboration, several surveys have been carried out, the results of which are regularly shared with all the partners concerned.

28.At the same time, IOM is working closely with the Mauritanian authorities, notably through the country’s diplomatic missions, to draw up a comprehensive map of the Mauritanian diaspora.

29.In addition, the National Agency for the Registration of Persons and Secure Documents has recently begun a process of registering foreign nationals present in Mauritania, with a view to gaining a better understanding of their presence and distribution.

30.The police and gendarmerie, which are responsible for border control, also have databases on migration flows recorded at the various points of entry to the country.

31.There are currently no precise statistics on the number of Mauritanian migrant workers and members of their families abroad, but an approximate figure can be obtained from the data gathered by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which undertook a count of Mauritanian voters abroad in 2023. This revealed that their number had reached 255,759. Given that only one adult in a family is counted as a migrant worker and voter, the number of Mauritanian workers abroad can be determined from the total number of voters if two groups are subtracted, namely, students and those who are sick, who account for no more than around 8 per cent of the total, giving an approximate number of 235,298.

32.With the exception of young immigrants to the United States, whose number, according to American sources, is close to 15,000, the vast majority of Mauritanian migrant workers are in a regular situation under the laws of the country of employment, which enables them to benefit from the advantages accorded under the Convention.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 5

33.Mauritania has taken a series of measures to implement bilateral and multilateral agreements and memorandums of understanding concerning the strengthening and enhancement of the regular migration process, including the reception of Mauritanians returning to the country and the facilitation of regular migration in decent conditions for those wishing to depart. For example:

(a)In 2008, a government department was established with responsibility for Mauritanians abroad. This department has been part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2014. It deals with issues concerning Mauritanian migrants, including migrant workers and their families. It works to facilitate all stages of the safe and regular migration process, from departure to return;

(b)The departments responsible for foreign affairs, security and new technologies have cooperated on the development of digital solutions to help Mauritanian migrants obtain, easily and quickly, the civil status and certain other documents they need thanks to electronic applications designed for this purpose, the best known of which is the HOUWIYATI (My Identity) application;

(c)There has been ongoing communication and coordination with the various authorities concerned with migration issues in the countries that receive the largest numbers of Mauritanian migrant workers, notably Spain, Morocco, France and certain neighbouring West African countries, in order to agree on arrangements to facilitate the free return of Mauritanian migrant workers and to protect their property and acquired rights in the country of employment;

(d)The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to organize in 2025 a general assembly of the Mauritanian diaspora to identify the challenges faced and find appropriate solutions, applying a participatory and inclusive approach.

34.In 2017, Mauritania signed an association agreement with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), becoming an associate member of the organization, which has enabled it to benefit from the free movement of goods, people, services and capital with other ECOWAS countries. Furthermore, it is a founding member of the Arab Maghreb Union, established in 1989. Agreements concluded within this organization promote the free movement of people and goods between Mauritania and the other member States. In addition to the advantages offered by membership of these organizations, Mauritania is linked to each of these countries individually, as well as to certain European Union countries such as France and Spain, by bilateral agreements that include arrangements for cooperation in managing safe and regular migration.

35.Mauritania has taken a number of steps to protect the rights of migrant workers and members of their families, particularly in border towns to the north, south, east and west of the country, facing detention, repatriation or deportation.

36.Specific measures have been adopted to inform the migrants of their rights in a language they understand, in line with the law against migrant smuggling.

37.Mauritania ensures that each deportation case is examined individually, with respect for international standards regarding privacy, honour and distribution of migrants; these measures are reinforced through regional cooperation and support from the European Union.

38.Deportation procedures are applied exclusively to persons in an irregular situation. Migrant workers holding an employment permit and a residence permit are protected against deportation from the country.

39.The decentralized services of the ministry in charge of employment, as well as citizen reception centres, are present in every moughataaand wilaya in the country. Any migrant worker wishing to regularize his or her situation may contact these structures to receive the necessary assistance.

40.Mauritanian law provides for protective measures such as the placement of migrants in secure accommodation, away from smuggling networks, and the possibility for them of extending their stay or applying for legal status.

41.Diplomatic and consular legal assistance is also available, as are financial support and security measures.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 6

42.There are no examples of judicial decisions in which the courts have invoked or applied the provisions of the Convention. There are, though, examples of the application of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in particular article 11 of the Covenant, to overturn sentences of civil imprisonment for failure to pay a contractual debt, which illustrate, if proof were needed, at least by analogy, that it is indeed possible for the provisions of the Convention to be invoked in court and applied.

43.In accordance with articles 5 and 56–62 of Act No. 2020-017 of 6 August 2020 on the Prevention and Punishment of Trafficking in Persons and the Protection of Victims, the establishment of protection and assistance mechanisms is provided for in the decree on the protection of victims and their families, witnesses, court officers, undercover agents and whistle-blowers in the context of efforts to combat human trafficking. Naturally, this system covers migrant workers and members of their families who are victims of offences under the Act.

44.Regarding protection measures, victims may benefit from physical, psychological and legal protection.

45.The National Agency on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants ensures, through the national referral mechanism, that the protection and assistance measures set out in the preceding paragraphs are carried out.

46.Specific care is provided for children by the services of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Children and the Family, as well as associations and organizations specializing in the protection of victims of trafficking in persons.

47.Persons covered by the aforementioned decree benefit from physical protection measures in cases where their safety is threatened. If necessary, this may include the provision of accommodation and specific security measures.

48.Victims receive psychological support from qualified professionals and specialized associations.

49.Victims of all forms of trafficking in persons are granted legal aid from the fund for aid and assistance to trafficking victims.

50.Victims of trafficking benefit from immunity from criminal prosecution in accordance with article 5 of Act No. 2020-017 on the Prevention and Punishment of Trafficking in Persons and the Protection of Victims. Persons under protection may request anonymity in the event of an imminent threat. Decisions on such requests are taken by the public prosecutor.

51.In terms of assistance measures, the decree provides for victims to have access to medical care in public health facilities. Payment is arranged by health insurance institutions, with financing from the fund for aid and assistance to trafficking victims.

52.Social assistance is provided to facilitate the reintegration of victims, taking into account their age and particular situation. Victims receive clear information about their rights and about judicial procedures in order to overcome administrative obstacles. Every victim of trafficking has the right to the assistance of a competent interpreter throughout courts proceedings, if necessary.

53.Protection measures take into account the best interests of children in that the care provided is adapted to their needs. If the age of a victim is uncertain and there are reasons to believe that that person is a child, he or she must be considered as such and protection measures put in place pending definitive verification of his or her age.

54.If a child is of foreign nationality and is unaccompanied, the State, through its competent structures, implements the necessary protection measures, such as appointing a legal representative and taking the steps needed to identify his or her family and send him or her to them in a way that takes into account his or her best interests.

55.Victims who have disabilities or suffer from a serious illness are afforded special attention in terms of the procedures and measures implemented on their behalf, be it the provision of medical and psychological care, accommodation or translation services (provided with the help of sign language specialists) or access to existing services and social assistance.

56.In addition, at its meeting on 20 May 2025, the High Commission for the Reform and Development of the Justice System authorized the recruitment of 32 court interpreters and translators, without prejudice to the obligation to cover the cost of interpreting services in criminal matters from criminal justice fees.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 7

57.The National Human Rights Commission has put in place effective complaints mechanisms and has raised awareness of rights and increased the availability of related information so as to improve the exercise of human rights and access to effective remedies in the event of violations of rights of all kinds. Migrant workers enjoy the same easy access to this information as anyone else.

58.The requisite information on available judicial and administrative remedies is thus accessible to migrant workers, who enjoy the same rights and facilities in the area of labour relations as Mauritanian nationals, without any discrimination. They are assisted by a trade union representative or delegate, both when lodging complaints or filing reports with labour inspectors and throughout the proceedings before the labour courts or arbitration tribunals, in the same way as their Mauritanian counterparts.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 8

59.The legislative and regulatory framework prohibits any discrimination, distinction, exclusion or preference based on race, national origin, colour, sex, religion, political opinion or social origin and guarantees non-discrimination with regard to migrant workers and members of their families, who exercise their rights without distinction of any kind. This framework includes article 395 of Act No. 017-2004 of 6 July 2004 on the Labour Code. The regulations issued in application of this article ensure equal access to employment for all.

60.Furthermore, discrimination in all its forms is prohibited and penalized under Act No. 2018-023, which concerns efforts to combat discrimination.

61.With regard to part II of the Convention (art. 7), concerning measures to review legislation in order to eliminate any provisions that may be discriminatory towards migrant workers and members of their families, on 21 June 2018 the Government adopted Act No. 2018-023 on the Criminalization of Discrimination, which represents a major step forward in the State’s efforts to combat all forms of discrimination and to promote the human rights of both migrants and residents. This law is evidence of the Government’s commitment to justice and equality between all individuals, regardless of ethnic origin or any other criterion.

62.In addition, Decree No. 2020-140 of 3 November 2020 on the National Observatory for the Rights of Women and Girls was amended by Decree No. 2023-092 of 27 June 2023, reinforcing the autonomy of this important institution by giving it administrative and financial independence and making it a consultative body attached to the Office of the Prime Minister.

63.This new decree enables the Observatory to carry out more effectively its mission to protect and promote the rights of women and girls, whether resident or migrant, while providing invaluable support to the Government and civil society.

64.This mission is supported at the regional level by decentralized mechanisms established in the wilayahs to combat violence against women and girls, regardless of their migration status. Within this framework, the Ministry regularly cooperates with civil society organizations, in particular those working on behalf of migrant women.

65.With a view to ensuring greater protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, including migrants with disabilities and members of their families, the Government recently adopted a national inclusion strategy, which was endorsed by the Council of Ministers on 11 December 2024. This strategy aims to ensure that all persons with disabilities can exercise their fundamental rights on an equal footing with other citizens.

66.It provides, inter alia, for:

Revising the legislative and regulatory framework

Combating stereotypes

Ensuring access to public services

Incorporating disability-related issues into all national policies and strategies

67.To combat gender-based violence and eliminate all forms of discrimination against migrant workers and their families, the Government adopted the National Strategy to Combat Gender-based Violence 2020–2024, which includes measures that specifically affect migrants, such as:

(a)Revising the legal framework with a view to adopting a uniform law criminalizing all forms of gender-based violence, including against migrants and their families;

(b)Adopting a national strategy for gender mainstreaming and a budgeted action plan to strengthen legal and social protections for migrant women;

(c)Strengthening the role of relevant organizations and enhancing the training of professionals, including judges and security forces, on legal mechanisms for protecting migrants and their families.

68.These actions demonstrate the Government’s continued commitment to fighting discrimination and promoting the rights of migrants and residents, both legally and socially.

69.The country’s mitigation assessment covers 19 measures with a cumulative greenhouse gas emission reduction potential of around 40,327.813 Gg CO2-equivalent by 2030, that is, a reduction in the rate of emissions growth of around 40.62 per cent, as follows:

Energy sector (10 projects with an overall mitigation potential of 9,640.124 Gg CO2-equivalent, or 23.9 per cent of national potential)

Agriculture, Forestry and Other Land Use sector (7 projects with a cumulative mitigation potential of 30,270.996 Gg CO2-equivalent, or 75.06 per cent of national potential for the period 2010–2030)

Industrial Processes and Product Use sector (2 projects with a combined mitigation potential of 30.5 Gg CO2-equivalent, or 0.08 per cent of national potential)

Waste sector (this remains a low-emission sector, with the fossilization of solid waste due to its low moisture content and the non-treatment of wastewater)

70.Other measures taken to implement the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change include the following.

Mainstreaming climate change into public policy

71.To date, climate change has been mainstreamed into the following key framework and planning documents:

(a)The Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Shared Prosperity;

(b)The National Environmental Action Plan;

(c)The following sectoral strategies:

(i)The National Action Plan to Combat Desertification, Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development;

(ii)The National Food Security Strategy for Mauritania 2030;

(iii)The National Agricultural Investment and Food Security Programme for Mauritania.

Technology transfer needs

72.Regarding the introduction of technologies in Mauritania in response to the impact of climate change, the following should be noted:

Introduction and promotion of adapted, early-maturing or resilient species and varieties

Intensification and diversification of irrigated crops

Integrated pest management

Optimization of irrigation management techniques

Construction of hydraulic microdams and development of lowlands

Sustainable land management techniques

Integrated soil fertility management

Soil and water conservation and soil protection and restoration techniques

Agroforestry

Introduction of sulphuric acid generators, a new technology for rehabilitating saline-sodic soils

Laying out of fields according to contour lines

Grain banks

Induction of rainfall

Seeding of natural pastures

Development of forage crops

Processing of coarse fodder and production of multi-nutritional blocks

Silage-making techniques

Pasture monitoring

Artificial insemination techniques

Promotion of family poultry farming

Generation of electrical energy from renewable natural resources

Generation of electricity from less-polluting, energy-efficient fossil fuels

Energy from natural gas

Combined cycle technologies

Energy efficiency

Forest management for carbon conservation

Forest management for carbon sequestration

Management for carbon substitution

Aerial seeding

Research and systematic observations

73.Systematic observations:

(a)Meteorological observations: the national terrestrial observation network comprises three main branches – the synoptic network (comprising 10 automatic weather stations and 4 conventional stations), the network of marine stations (3 automatic marine weather stations are currently operational on the Atlantic coast of Mauritania, of which 1 is equipped with radar; a project to install 3 marine stations is under way (Global System for Mobile Communication)) and the rainfall network (around 150 SPIEA rainfall posts are operational and 400 farmers’ rain gauges are in the test phase);

(b)Space observations: satellite data for weather observation are received from two ground stations.

Observation of water resources

74.Several entities share the task of resource management:

(a)Surface water resources are monitored by the Directorate for Rural Development of the Ministry of Agriculture;

(b)Terrestrial observations are the responsibility of the Directorate for Rural Development;

(c)Space observations are supported by the African Union, the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites and the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel (Regional Training Centre for Agrometeorology and Operational Hydrology and their Application), which provides technical support; a satellite data reception ground station (African Monitoring of the Environment for Sustainable Development) was installed in 2011 to strengthen the capacity of the Directorate for Rural Development for systematic resource monitoring;

(d)Observation and monitoring of hydrogeological resources are carried out on an ad hoc basis for the purposes of exploration and exploitation of the main underground aquifers, namely, Bénichab, Boulenouar and the Dhar aquifer; the main actors in this field are the National Water Resource Centre and the National Water Company, under the supervision of the Ministry of Hydraulics and Sanitation.

Scientific research

75.Scientific research is in its infancy. The main centres are the National Meteorological Office, the National Institute of Public Health Research, the University of Nouakchott, the École Normale Supérieure and the Mauritanian Institute for Oceanographic Research and Fisheries. Activities are mainly carried out within the framework of development projects and programmes, by three entities:

(a)The National Meteorological Office;

(b)The National Institute of Public Health Research (an initiative on the health and environmental vulnerability of disadvantaged districts of Nouakchott has been launched with the National Centre of Competence in Research North-South, with financial support from the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, in order to analyse the conditions for the emergence and development of diseases in Sahelian urban environments);

(c)The Mauritanian Institute for Oceanographic Research and Fisheries, which conducts various “climate resources” research programmes.

Education, training and public awareness

76.Considerable efforts have been made in respect of training, particularly in areas covered by the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, mitigation, vulnerability and adaptation, but also with regard to education and awareness-raising on climate change. In all, 46 types of training have been provided, for experts, secondary-school trainers and decision makers.

77.Lastly, it should be noted that Mauritania adopted the World Bank Environmental and Social Standards at a workshop on the findings of a general assessment of the national framework for the management of environmental and social risks in Mauritania.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 9

78.The updated National Migration Management Strategy 2021–2030 seeks to “make a significant contribution to improving migration management”. Its specific objectives are to:

(a)Develop a comprehensive overview of migration patterns through continuous dialogue among all relevant stakeholders within the National Migration Management Commission;

(b)Establish effective tools to support decision-making on migration policy implementation;

(c)Promote recognition of migration as a driver of national development;

(d)Ensure the protection of migrants, in line with the country’s international commitments;

(e)Strengthen control over entry into and exit from the country while upholding the bilateral and multilateral agreements signed by Mauritania.

79.The updated National Migration Management Strategy is structured around six converging strategic areas:

(a)Area I – Reform of the legal and institutional framework and alignment with international conventions:

Outcome 1.1: The legal and institutional framework for migration management, monitoring and evaluation is updated and operationalized

Outcome 1.2: A legal framework aligned with the international agreements ratified by the country is established, and related administrative procedures and practices are revised

Components:

Revision of the institutional framework

Reform of the legal framework and alignment with international conventions

Revision of administrative procedures and practices to bring them into line with current legislation

(b)Area II – Collection and analysis of migration data:

Outcome 2.1: Mechanisms for the production of migration statistics are strengthened, on a scientific basis, in order to provide the knowledge required for improved migration management

Outcome 2.2: Disaggregated data on national and diaspora migration are available and included in the results of the general population and housing census

Components :

Capacity-building for the various parties involved in collecting and disseminating migration data, including at points of entry

Capacity-building in migration studies and research

(c)Area III – Integrated border management:

Outcome 3.1: Oversight and management of entry to and exit from Mauritania are improved and carried out with respect for human rights

Outcome 3.2: International, regional and cross-border cooperation is strengthened, in particular through the harmonization of procedures and efforts to combat irregular migration, trafficking and smuggling

Components:

Establishment and technical reinforcement of border posts

Collaboration with neighbouring countries

Support for and collaboration with border communities

Maritime border management

(d)Area IV – Promotion of the fundamental rights of migrants:

Outcome 4.1: The capacities of the Mauritanian authorities and protection workers to ensure legal protection for migrants and their access to basic services are strengthened

Outcome 4.2: The capacities of the Mauritanian authorities and protection workers to protect children on the move and to include them in the national protection system are strengthened

Outcome 4.3: The capacities of the Mauritanian authorities and protection workers to protect victims of trafficking in persons are strengthened

Components :

Access to fundamental rights and basic services

Promotion of quality communication and information on all aspects of migration

Fight against trafficking in persons

Protection of children on the move and their inclusion in the national protection system

(e)Area V – Migration and development:

Outcome 5.1: The involvement of the diaspora in the country’s economic and social development is formalized

Outcome 5.2: The professional mobility of members of the diaspora is improved

Components:

Diaspora involvement

Improved professional mobility

(f)Area VI – Coordination, monitoring and evaluation

Outcome 6.1: Coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of the National Migration Management Strategy is strengthened

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 10

80.Mauritania has drawn up several laws and regulations to combat discrimination and promote equal rights. The following are some of the main legislative texts in the fight against discrimination:

(a)The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, which guarantees the equality of citizens before the law and prohibits all forms of discrimination based on race, sex or social status;

(b)Act No. 2018-023, concerning efforts to combat discrimination, which prohibits all forms of discrimination and racism within society;

(c)The Labour Code, which contains fair provisions on employment and provides that no one may be discriminated against on the basis of origin, sex or any other personal characteristic in relation to recruitment and conditions of work.

81.These laws form part of a legal framework designed to combat discrimination and promote equal opportunities.

82.Order No. 797 of 18 August 2011, repealing and replacing Order No. 362 of 25 August 1953, as amended by Order No. 10.289 of 2 June 1965, on the General Conditions of Domestic Employment governs the employment of domestic servants, defines forms of employment that violate labour law, including the various conventions ratified by Mauritania and the Labour Code, and protects all workers engaged in professional activity in the country, in both the formal and informal sectors, including domestic workers, against any violation of their rights at work.

83.The labour inspectorate provides employees and employers with model contract forms for domestic work drawn up by the Ministry of Labour, which must be signed and registered for the employment relationship to be considered valid.

84.The employer must pay for the domestic worker to undergo a medical examination before he or she is recruited. The minimum wages corresponding to domestic worker categories are equal to or higher than the statutory minimum wage and set freely by the parties.

85.Accommodation and food are benefits in kind that are not mandatory for either the employer or the employee, although they are routinely offered free of charge.

86.A domestic worker recruited outside the place of employment or moved from that place by the employer during performance of the contract has the right to payment of travel expenses.

87.The labour inspectorate issues work permits to young workers aged 15 or over, which they require in order to enter domestic employment corresponding to their physical aptitude and state of health, having secured the prior consent of their guardians and ensured their compliance with the other obligations imposed by the laws and regulations in force.

88.With regard to the number and type of complaints filed over the past five years, by sector of activity and migration status, in addition to collective dispute cases involving both national and migrant workers that fall within the jurisdiction of the arbitration councils, the table below shows the number and type of cases brought by migrant workers that have been examined or are pending before the Nouadhibou Labour Tribunal.

Year	Number of cases	Types of complaint	File No.	Comments
2017	1	Redundancy rights	0022	Out-of-court settlement
2020	3	Redundancy rights	0039	144 088 ouguiyas
0071	139 457 ouguiyas
0081	267 436 ouguiyas
2021	4	Redundancy rights	0013	118 500 ouguiyas
0036	45 839 ouguiyas
0061	656 559 ouguiyas
0076	433 830 ouguiyas
2022	2	Redundancy rights, inter alia	0020	5 550 192 ouguiyas
0031	124 271 ouguiyas
2023	1	Redundancy rights	0032	Ongoing
2024	4	Redundancy rights	0073
0078
0087
0095

Source: Nouadhibou Labour Tribunal.

Year	Number of cases	Types of complaint	File No.	Comments
2021	1	Redundancy rights	161/2021	182 541 ouguiyas
2022	3	Wage arrears	213/2022	9 000 ouguiyas
Redundancy rights	235/2022	736 014 ouguiyas
Various rights	253/2022	Out-of-court settlement
2024	1	Wage arrears	115/2024	Ongoing

Source: Nouakchott Labour Tribunal.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 11

89.With regard to the measures taken to protect the rights of migrant children, in particular unaccompanied or separated minors, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Children and the Family, in collaboration with the relevant departments, is making sustained efforts to eradicate child begging, including among migrant children and unaccompanied minors, notably through the Centre for the Protection and Social Integration of Children, which operates in Nouakchott and certain wilayahs.

90.The Centre provides reception, care and educational and social integration services for children in situations of vulnerability, including migrant children. In 2024, 1,441 children in difficult circumstances were enrolled in school with financial support for their families (cash transfers, school supplies). In addition, the Ministry provides care for children without parental supervision in coordination with the judicial and security authorities and grants monthly support for the preschool education of 3,400 vulnerable children.

91.The Commission for Monitoring the Care of Children without Parental Supervision and Children under Kevala Guardianship, established by Order No. 823 of 19 November 2024 pursuant to article 50 of Act No. 2018-024 of 21 June 2018 on the General Child Protection Code, is mandated to:

(a)Collect data and information on the kevala guardianship of children without parental care or family support and investigate the situation and circumstances of such children;

(b)Make recommendations on the kevala situation of children without parental care or family support and on the appropriate person to take charge of such children in accordance with the regulations in force;

(c)Assist with and record kevala decisions taken by the judicial authorities concerning children without parental care and monitor their implementation so as to safeguard the children’s best interests;

(d)Coordinate with stakeholders to ensure the application of child protection laws and regulations;

(e)Provide support to children without parental care or family support, interview them where necessary and appoint advisers.

92.As part of efforts to combat begging and the exploitation of migrant children who are victims of trafficking, the Ministry developed the National Action Plan for the Protection of Children without Parental Care, which was adopted by the Council of Ministers in 2023. The Plan provides for:

(a)Conducting a nationwide social, demographic and behavioural survey of children without family support;

(b)Updating the basic data covered by this survey as part of periodic and cyclical data-collection operations;

(c)Strengthening the capacities of the Centre for the Protection and Social Integration of Children by broadening its mandate in relation to monitoring, supervision and integration in schools, family settings and employment;

(d)Organizing media, awareness-raising and social mobilization campaigns;

(e)Prohibiting and eliminating child begging in cooperation with relevant government mechanisms;

(f)Combating the exploitation of children, including children with disabilities, by adult beggars;

(g)Ensuring the application of the law on compulsory schooling for children up to the age of 15 by making their families’ access to social assistance conditional on their schooling;

(h)Continuing to implement the National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour.

93.The Government, through the Ministry of Civil Service and Labour, issued Order No. 0066 of 17 January 2022, which lists hazardous types of work prohibited for children. This order is part of the drive to better protect children from work in hazardous activities likely to harm their physical and mental health. It expressly prohibits the employment of children in a number of activities identified as presenting serious risks or being detrimental to their well-being. This measure consolidates the actions taken by the Government to combat discrimination, promote children’s rights and ensure a safe and age-appropriate working environment.

94.At the international level, reports such as the United States Department of Labor 2021 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor have commended the efforts of Mauritania, in particular for the following achievements:

(a)Adoption of the National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour;

(b)Strengthening of the legislative framework, with a clear identification of prohibited forms of work;

(c)Strengthening of institutional coordination, in particular with labour inspectorates and the National Human Rights Commission;

(d)Implementation of social programmes to help vulnerable children gain access to schooling and basic services.

95.These actions reflect the Government’s unwavering political will to guarantee respect for children’s rights and to combat the economic exploitation of minors, whether residents or migrants, particularly victims of begging and trafficking.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 12

96.The ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29), has been ratified by Mauritania and incorporated into the national legal framework. It receives particular attention owing to its importance and the sensitive rights it enshrines.

97.Constitutional Act No. 2012-015 of 20 March 2012 amending the Constitution of 20 July 1991 introduced new article 13, which provides that: “No one may be held in slavery or in any form of servitude, nor subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. These practices constitute crimes against humanity and are punishable as such by law.”

98.Article 5 of Act No. 2004-017 of 6 July 2004 on the Labour Code provides that workers are to engage in work of their own accord. It prohibits forced or compulsory labour, which means all work or service exacted from any person under the threat of any penalty and for which that person has not offered himself or herself voluntarily. It also prohibits any employment relationship, even if it does not arise from a contract of employment, in which a person performs work or a service without his or her free consent. Any infringement of these provisions is punishable by the criminal penalties provided for in Act No. 2020-017 on the Prevention and Punishment of Trafficking in Persons and the Protection of Victims.

99.Slavery-like practices and torture are punished by specific laws, namely, Act No. 2015-031 on the Criminalization of Slavery and the Punishment of Slavery-like Practices and Act No. 2015-033 on Combating Torture.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 13

100.As at 29 April 2025, the total number of foreign prisoners was 530. No indicator specifies whether some or all of this population consists of migrant workers, but it must be borne in mind that the country continues to experience significant migratory flows, notably linked to the security situation in the Sahel region in general and in Mali in particular. Moreover, many potential irregular migrants seek to reach North Africa and Europe from Mauritania, making it a major transit route.

101.Under the Code of Criminal Procedure, pretrial detention may be ordered only when it is justified by the seriousness of the acts or the need to prevent the disappearance of evidence, the flight of the accused or the commission of other offences (art. 138).

102.In all cases, any person subjected to arrest, detention or any other form of deprivation of liberty must be treated with respect for human dignity. It is forbidden to mistreat such persons or to detain them in places other than the places of detention defined by law (art. 58). This applies to everyone within the country’s borders, including of course migrant workers.

103.Unless they are related to the smuggling of migrants, which is a criminal offence, violations of the regulations on entry to and residence in Mauritania are classified as minor offences and sanctioned accordingly. The minor nature of these offences means that pretrial detention of the perpetrators is applied only as a measure of last resort. In this context, the justice system often favours criminal mediation.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 14

104.In Mauritania, there are no migrant detention centres, only temporary reception centres for migrants in an irregular situation, where such persons are housed while their cases are examined pending a decision.

105.These centres are managed jointly by the National Agency on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, the Mauritanian Red Crescent and other international partners, such as IOM.

106.Security in these centres is entrusted to the national police, whose officers respect the human dignity and fundamental rights of the persons housed there.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 15

107.Act No. 2024-038 amends Act No. 1965-046 to address new security challenges and comply with health standards. It aims to strengthen the legal framework on immigration by updating and clarifying the penalties applicable to offences related to entry and residence, as well as to those who knowingly provide aid and assistance to foreign nationals attempting to enter or reside fraudulently in Mauritania. The key changes introduced concern:

Irregular entry into the country

Facilitating illegal immigration

Non-compliance with health regulations

Entering or staying in prohibited areas

108.Although Act No. 2024-038 is of a general nature and primarily aimed at regulating irregular immigration issues, it is important to specify that it does not apply to migrants who are victims of smuggling, migrant children or vulnerable persons. These categories continue to benefit from special protection under Act No. 2010-021, which guarantees their non‑refoulement and treatment in accordance with the principles of international protection.

109.Migrants apprehended by the Mauritanian police are in no case migrant workers but rather fall into two categories of foreign nationals in an irregular situation:

(a)Migrants arrested after entering the country illegally, without passing through official border posts;

(b)Migrants rescued while crossing the territorial waters in the course of clandestine journeys organized from neighbouring countries or from the Mauritanian coast towards Europe.

110.In all, 19,689 migrants in an irregular situation falling within one of these two categories were arrested and deported between 1 January and 25 May 2025.

111.Article 64 of Act No. 2010-021, as amended, authorizes the authority responsible for issuing visas and temporary or permanent residence permits to provide victims of migrant‑smuggling offences with the documents they need to remain lawfully in Mauritania for at least the time required for the investigation, prosecution and judgment of cases. This provision also applies to the victims’ dependants. Victims and their dependants may also apply for a residence permit in Mauritania in accordance with current immigration legislation.

112.In cooperation with the European Union, non-nationals, including persons disembarked after being rescued or intercepted at sea, undergo screening in reception centres established in accordance with international norms and standards. The relevant standard operating procedures are currently being approved.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 16

113.In accordance with Decree No. 0396 of 13 April 2023, relating to the delimitation of diplomatic and consular districts, Mauritania has 43 diplomatic missions and 3 consulates general. These diplomatic and consular missions are distributed geographically as follows:

Africa: 17 embassies, plus 1 consulate general in Casablanca

Americas: 4 embassies

Asia and Oceania: 12 embassies, plus 1 consulate general in Jeddah

Europe: 10 embassies, plus 1 consulate general in Las Palmas

114.Pursuant to the well-established principle of diplomatic law whereby any diplomatic mission may perform consular functions, a member of the diplomatic staff of each embassy is entrusted with conducting consular affairs on behalf of Mauritanian nationals present within the geographical area covered by the mission’s accreditation.

115.Mauritanian embassies and consulates play an important role in assisting and protecting Mauritanian nationals working abroad. The most important services provided by Mauritanian diplomatic and consular missions to Mauritanian migrant workers include:

(a)Provision of a consular card to help them carry out certain administrative procedures in their country of employment;

(b)Legal support and advice in the event of a dispute with a party in the host country;

(c)Legal assistance and diplomatic protection in the cases provided for by the law in force in the host country;

(d)Issuance of laissez-passer for re-entry into Mauritania in the event of passport loss;

(e)Coordination with their loved ones at their request to inform them of their state of health or legal situation;

(f)Contact with relatives to inform them of a death or disappearance;

(g)Assistance in repatriating bodies.

116.For information on the number of nationals working abroad or in transit in third countries, see paragraph 31 above. However, it should be noted that the overwhelming majority of Mauritanian migrant workers are men and that the primary motivation for most is the search for a better job. With the exception of recent immigrants to the United States, most Mauritanian migrant workers enjoy a stable legal status in their host countries, which considerably reduces cases of arrest, imprisonment and deportation.

117.Measures to reintegrate returning Mauritanian migrant workers are often taken in emergency situations during certain crises (for example, the Libyan crisis, the Russian‑Ukrainian war and the Sudanese crisis). The most important are:

Provision of free flights to evacuate individuals and families wishing to leave and subsequent provision of healthcare as needed

Enrolment of the children of returning families in schools and universities according to their level of education

In the case of returnees from Libya, distribution of plots of land to families in poverty

118.The Diaspora Forum, scheduled for the current year, is expected to issue recommendations including practical measures to help returning migrant workers better integrate into Mauritanian society.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 17

119.The labour inspectorate is responsible for enforcing the application of labour laws in respect of all workers in the country, including migrant workers in both regular and irregular situations, without distinction, exclusion or preference based on race, national origin, colour, sex, religion, political opinion or social origin. The inspectorate addresses any violations through field visits and intervenes to settle any labour disputes.

120.As is the case with Mauritanian workers in both the informal and formal sectors, any migrant worker who lives in the country is subject to the provisions of Act No. 2004-017 of 6 July 2004 on the Labour Code, in particular article 2 thereof, which states that the Code is “applicable to all employment contracts intended to be executed in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, regardless of where the contracts are concluded or where the parties reside”.

121.Article 7 of the Code establishes that “employment contracts shall be freely concluded and signed, subject to the specific provisions of the present Code governing their form, signature and content. The parties must respect the principle of non-discrimination set out in article 395.”

122.Accordingly, migrant workers are guaranteed the same rights as Mauritanian workers, including the right to receive the national minimum wage.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 18

123.In accordance with the ILO Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102), all workers, including migrants, are entitled to join and benefit from social security schemes. Article 2 of Act No. 67-039 of 3 February 1967 on the Establishment of a Social Security Scheme provides that “enrolment in the social security scheme created under the present law is compulsory for workers who are subject to the provisions of the Labour Code or the Merchant Shipping Code, without any distinction based on race, nationality, sex or origin, and who work primarily in the national territory for one or more employers, regardless of the nature, form or validity of the contract or the amount and nature of the remuneration”.

124.Act No. 2004-017 of 6 July 2004 on the Labour Code and Act No. 67-039 of 3 February 1967 on the Establishment of a Social Security Scheme guarantee migrant workers access to social security under the same conditions as Mauritanian workers.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 19

125.In Mauritania, emergency medical care, like any other type of care, is provided in public and private health facilities to all users, irrespective of their country, nationality, religion, sex, colour or migration status, without any discrimination, on an equal footing with Mauritanian nationals.

126.Article 2 of Decree No. 159-2021 of 20 October 2020, as amended, which establishes the powers of the Minister of Health and the organization of the Ministry’s central administration, provides that one of the missions of the Ministry is to ensure compliance with international health regulations and the commitments of Mauritania in this area.

127.In this regard, the Ministry of Health issued Order No. 1042/MS of 16 April 2003, setting out the procedures governing the provision of care to destitute patients. This order provides that all persons, including migrant workers and members of their families, irrespective of their migration status, have the right to receive medical care, including emergency care, on the same footing as Mauritanian citizens.

128.In order to put these measures into practice and meet the specific obligations arising from the international and regional treaties and conventions to which Mauritania is a party, the Ministry of Health has set up a reception and care centre in Nouadhibou that provides all types of treatment, including emergency care, to migrant workers and members of their families.

129.In addition, the Ministry has set up a well-equipped healthcare centre in the moughataa of Bassiknou. The centre covers the M’berra camp, which also provides healthcare services to refugees, migrants and members of their families on the same footing as Mauritanian citizens.

130.In terms of health insurance, the Government has set up the following insurance structures:

(a)The Emergency Medical Assistance Service, which was established under Decree No. 2024-027 of 7 February 2024 and is responsible for:

(i)Planning, organizing and developing emergency medical assistance throughout the country, in collaboration with related service providers;

(ii)Providing individuals, including migrant workers and members of their families, with the first aid required by their state of health, before transferring them to the competent specialist service;

(iii)Coordinating the referral of emergency cases to referral hospitals across the country.

(b)The National Health Solidarity Fund, which was created under Decree No. 2023-051/PM and offers an affordable and voluntary national health insurance scheme that is financed through contributions from members, the Government and other entities.

131.Other bodies contributing to efforts to achieve the goal of universal insurance are the National Health Insurance Fund, the General Delegation for National Solidarity and the Fight against Exclusion and the Directorate for Social Work and National Solidarity.

132.All these bodies offer translation services for users, including migrant workers and members of their families.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 20

133.In May 2011, the Mauritanian authorities launched a biometric registration process open to all citizens, with a view to updating the old civil registry so that individuals who had not been included in the old databases or through the supplementary administrative censuses could be registered. Over the years, however, there were fluctuations in the number of individuals registering.

134.With this in mind, and in order to find a lasting solution to the problem, in July 2023 the Ministry of the Interior launched a mass nationwide registration campaign, which was initially intended to last six months and was then extended by 45 days.

135.The key aspects of the campaign were:

(a)The simplification of registration procedures thanks to the adoption of a ministerial decree authorizing the registration of citizens even if they had not previously possessed identity or civil status documents;

(b)The adoption of an alternative procedure based on the identification of individuals through local identification committees, whose members were appointed on the basis of their community knowledge;

(c)The acceptance of parental acknowledgement and testimonial evidence as proof of an individual’s descent or identity;

(d)The deployment, for the first time, of 68 mobile teams across the country in order to reach rural and remote areas;

(e)The early opening of 41 new, permanent centres in rural communes, bringing the total number of centres in operation during the campaign to 158.

136.The aim of this initiative was to address the issues relating to civil registration by allowing all individuals who had not yet registered to remedy that fact so that, now, only new births remain to be declared, which must be done within the legal time frame.

137.The register was closed on a set date at the end of the campaign. It remains open only for new births (up to the age of 6), marking a gradual return to the ordinary regime.

138.Furthermore, in February 2025, Act No. 003-2011 on the Civil Status Code was substantially amended in order to remedy a number of shortcomings observed in the previous system, in particular the failure to specify the authority competent to receive birth declarations submitted after the legal deadline and the lack of any normative procedure governing these late declarations.

139.The initiative has helped to double processing capacity and considerably increase the number of reception points, which were previously found only in departmental capitals that have courts. The number of connected and fully operational citizen reception centres currently stands at 109 across the country.

140.The following table provides information on the number of people registered during and after the mass campaign:

Citizen registration by region
Region	From 10 July 2023 to 17 February 2024	After 17 February 2024
Abroad	6 548	2 228
Hodh El Charghi	128 516	7 838
Hodh El Gharbi	72 847	7 704
Assaba	78 263	12 660
Gorgol	92 412	8 962
Brakna	53 601	11 272
Trarza	30 140	9 483
Adrar	4 408	2 307
Nouadhibou	8 265	4 874
Tagant	13 584	2 578
Guidimagha	61 492	5 700
Tiris Zemour	9 073	2 234
Inchir	1 135	567
Nouakchott W	14 364	13 457
Nouakchott N	24 123	21 988
Nouakchott S	13 757	16 315
Total	612 528	130 167

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 21

141.Education in public preschools, primary schools, secondary schools and universities is free for Mauritanians and foreign nationals alike. The table below contains data disaggregated by the level of school attended by migrant children.

Nationality	Number of students	Male	Female	Primary	Secondary
Senegal	24	11	12	23	1
Morocco	4	1	3	4	0
Sudan	2	1	1	2	0
Sierra Leone	4	1	3	4	0
Ghana	7	2	5	7	0
Gambia	9	4	5	9	0
Mali	259	79	180	247	12
Burkina Faso	1	0	1	1	0

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 22

142.Migrant workers residing in Mauritania are free to transfer all or part of their remuneration to their country of origin, in accordance with current foreign exchange regulations. This freedom is guaranteed after payment of the applicable duties and taxes.

143.The Government has recently taken significant steps to make it easier for migrant workers to transfer funds, including by signing banking cooperation agreements and regulating monetary transfer services.

Banking cooperation agreements

144.Agreement with Gabon: in July 2023, the Société Mauritanienne des Postes, the national postal service, signed a cooperation agreement with its counterpart in Gabon. This agreement aims to facilitate the transfer of funds between the two countries, thereby enabling Mauritanian and Gabonese expatriates to enjoy more accessible and secure transfer services.

145.Authorization of service providers: the Central Bank of Mauritania has issued provisional permits to nine providers of monetary transfer services, including Gaza Telecom, Tadamoun Telecom and Mauritanie Telecom. The aim of this measure is to regulate transfer activities and protect users.

146.These actions reflect the commitment of Mauritania to improve financial services for migrant workers by enabling them to transfer funds through channels that are more secure and comply with international regulations.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraphs 23 and 24

147.The Ministry of Civil Service and Labour has organized awareness-raising campaigns for migrant workers in order to inform them of their rights and obligations and facilitate their access to decent work and the best possible social protection.

148.There are no restrictions on the right of migrant workers in a regular situation and members of their families to form or join trade unions or to exercise trade union responsibilities.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 25

149.Mauritania has taken several measures to ensure that Mauritanian migrant workers residing abroad and members of their families are able to exercise their rights to vote, participate in public affairs and be elected to public office. These rights are guaranteed in the preamble and certain articles of the Constitution, in particular article 47, which establishes the right of Mauritanian nationals who live abroad to be represented in Parliament. The measures include:

(a)The enactment of Organic Act No. 2023-12 amending certain provisions of Organic Act No. 2018-07, which concerns the election of representatives of Mauritanians living abroad. The amended provisions establish that each representative of Mauritanian nationals living abroad must be directly elected by the individuals who reside within his or her electoral ward. The amendments were made in response to the high demand for such a measure among the Mauritanian diaspora, whose representatives were previously elected by Parliament in Nouakchott;

(b)The adoption of Act No. 2021-11 amending certain provisions of Act No. 112-1961 on the Mauritanian Nationality Code. This amendment provides for the authorization of dual nationality, which means that individuals are able to retain their Mauritanian nationality after obtaining that of another country. It also limits the range of roles that cannot be held by dual nationals. These roles are: President of the Republic, President of the National Assembly, head of a constitutional institution, Prime Minister, member of the Government and head of the armed forces or security services. This amendment addressed one of the fundamental grievances of the Mauritanian diaspora;

(c)The issuance by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of the Interior of the Joint Order of 26 January 2023, which determines in which electoral wards outside Mauritania polling stations will be opened. These polling stations were opened to enable individuals to elect community representatives to Parliament in 2023 and to vote in the presidential election of 2024. Mauritanians living abroad are thus able to vote in national elections through 13 polling stations in Europe, 17 in Africa, 12 in Asia and 10 in the Americas. It should be noted that Mauritanians abroad are represented by four parliamentarians, each of whom represents one continent (Africa, Europe, the Americas, and Asia and Oceania). The Order also designates eight embassies and one consulate general to serve as polling stations for Mauritanians abroad. The electoral wards are distributed across the continents as follows:

(i)Africa (the Gambia, Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau);

(ii)Asia (Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar);

(iii)Europe (France) and the Americas (United States).

150.The choice of embassies was made on security and financial grounds. This process is still in the pilot phase, and efforts will be made to expand and improve it for the next elections.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 26

151.Mauritania has made considerable efforts to protect the rights of Mauritanian migrant workers and ensure that, from the moment they leave the country to the moment they return, they are able to benefit from a safe and orderly migration process in healthy, fair and humane conditions. In this context, Mauritania has concluded bilateral and multilateral agreements, the most important of which are:

(a)A memorandum of understanding with Spain, signed on 28 August 2024, on the management of legal migration under what the Government of Spain calls the “Circular Migration Programme”. The purpose of the agreement is to strengthen the channels for safe and regular migration, with a focus on protecting the rights of migrants and workers, including the right to return and, where appropriate, the right to redress;

(b)An agreement with Senegal, signed on 2 June 2025, on the movement of persons and goods between the two countries and residency requirements. This agreement provides for mutual protection of the rights of migrant workers in the two countries;

(c)A joint declaration with the European Union, signed on 7 March 2024, the main aim of which is to set out measures to combat illegal immigration. It also contains pledges by the European Union to help young Mauritanians who wish to migrate legally to find work, study and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 27

152.The migration of a large number of young Mauritanians to the United States through irregular channels is a phenomenon that, unfortunately, has emerged in recent years owing to a combination of subjective and objective factors. The clandestine and atypical nature of these individual ventures means that there are no reliable statistics on the number of young Mauritanians who have undertaken this journey. However, some sources in the United States report that 15,000 young Mauritanians have arrived in that country. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the actual number of these migrants, it is clear that they tend to be young men who are driven by their desire to find better opportunities while seeing the world and seeking adventure.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 28

153.The Government is deeply concerned about the human tragedies, in particular the deaths of young people in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, that have occurred as a result of irregular migration. The Government is aware of the risks faced by these individuals and has thus stepped up its efforts to prevent these tragedies and support returning migrants.

Awareness-raising campaigns against irregular migration

154.Mauritania has implemented several initiatives to tackle disinformation and raise awareness of the dangers of irregular migration. These initiatives include:

(a)Media partnerships: collaboration with local radio stations, television channels and social networks to disseminate messages warning of the dangers associated with clandestine crossings, such as sinkings, exploitation and trafficking in persons;

(b)Community programmes: the organization, in cooperation with local non-governmental organizations and international organizations, of door-to-door and school outreach campaigns targeting young people and women;

(c)Targeted strategies: the involvement of religious and traditional leaders in dispelling myths surrounding “successful migration” and promoting local solutions such as vocational training and microcredits.

Support for returning migrants and socioeconomic reintegration

155.Mauritania has adopted measures to facilitate the reintegration of migrant workers and their families, including:

(a)Support programmes: access to temporary reception centres (run in partnership with IOM) providing psychosocial, medical and legal assistance;

(b)Institutional coordination: creation of an interministerial committee (comprising the ministries responsible for social welfare, employment and foreign affairs and the Commission on Human Rights, Humanitarian Action and Relations with Civil Society) to harmonize reintegration policies.

International cooperation

156.Mauritania is working in synergy with neighbouring countries and the European Union within the framework of the Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development and other initiatives to manage migratory flows, which include mechanisms for search and rescue operations at sea and bilateral agreements aimed at protecting migrants’ rights.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 29

157.The offences of servitude, forced labour and sexual exploitation are punishable by law. Article 2 of Act No. 2020-017 on the Prevention and Punishment of Trafficking in Persons and the Protection of Victims establishes that all cases of trafficking in persons are punishable by 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to UM 500,000, in accordance with article 7 of the Act. All victims of such offences are protected by law, even if they are foreign nationals.

158.As at 4 March 2025, the database maintained by the unit responsible for monitoring court cases concerning trafficking in persons contained information on 181 cases. Of these cases, 103, which involved 179 people, had been tried. Some 80 cases, which involved 126 people, including 53 who were in detention, remained ongoing. Some of these cases date back more than 10 years.

159.The National Agency on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants has set up an effective referral system for victims of trafficking in persons. It has developed indicators to identify the victims of such offences, who are then referred to services that can provide them with the tailored assistance and support they require.

160.A court specializing in tackling slavery, trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants was set up under Act No. 2024-039. In addition to its panels made up of single or multiple judges, the court has a public prosecution unit and an investigation unit.

161.The Central Office for Combating Smuggling of Migrants and Trafficking in Persons was set up under Order No. 644/2021/MIDEC of 26 May 2021. The Office is responsible for conducting effective investigations into all acts relating to trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling.

162.The Commission on Human Rights, Humanitarian Action and Relations with Civil Society organizes information sessions to teach workers, including migrant workers, about their rights. The most recent activities organized were events to raise awareness of labour regulations among actors from the informal sector, which were held in Nouakchott on 6 March 2025 and Nouadhibou on 24 April 2025.

163.Every year, the Ministry of Justice organizes a national campaign for judicial actors, in particular judges, prosecutors, court registrars and criminal investigation officers, in order to train them on and raise their awareness of the legal framework for combating trafficking in persons, slavery, migrant smuggling and the worst forms of child labour.

164.The 2023 and 2024 sessions were attended by all judges and prosecutors in the wilaya courts and by criminal investigation officers from the national police and gendarmerie, reaching some 450 judges and justice officials.

165.The campaign is run annually in professional academies for public administration staff, journalists, judges and prosecutors, and officers from the gendarmerie, police and national guard. It is also run in Islamic universities and law schools. The 2024/25 campaign reached 1,800 people.

166.An annual budget of UM 45,000,000 is earmarked for the fight against trafficking in persons. The General Delegation for National Solidarity and the Fight against Exclusion donated UM 10,000,000 to the fund for aid and assistance to trafficking victims.

167.A unit comprising representatives of the Ministry of Justice and the Commission on Human Rights, Humanitarian Action and Relations with Civil Society has been set up to monitor cases of trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling that are pending before the courts. This unit maintains a database in which it compiles information on the progress of trials, the penalties imposed on the perpetrators and the details of the victims of such offences and the protection and assistance they have received.

168.Act No. 2020-017 specifies that requests from foreign victims of trafficking for the granting or extension of temporary residence in Mauritania will be examined by the competent services so that legal proceedings can be initiated to guarantee those victims’ rights, taking into account their individual situations.

169.Any coordination with the country of origin must be stopped in the event that the victim files an asylum application, which brings an end to the return procedure.

170.Individuals who are seeking international protection or have special protection needs are promptly referred to the bodies responsible for making a decision on their cases.

171.Articles 64 and 65 of Act No. 2010-021 on Combating Migrant Smuggling, as amended, establish that the authority responsible for issuing visas and temporary or permanent residence permits must, where appropriate, provide victims of that offence and their dependants with the necessary documents for them to remain lawfully in Mauritania for at least the time required for investigation, prosecution and judgment of cases. Victims and their dependants may also apply for a residence permit in Mauritania.

172.The Act also establishes that victims of migrant smuggling who request international protection or have special protection needs must be promptly referred to the bodies responsible for making a decision on their case. Any coordination with the country of origin must be stopped in the event that the individual concerned files an asylum application, which brings an end to the return procedure.

173.On 26 July 2022, the Mauritanian authorities adopted Order No. 0716 approving the internal regulations of the National Advisory Commission on Refugees and Persons in Need of Protection. This measure was taken as part of efforts to give effect to Decree No. 2022-063 of 5 May 2022, which governs the implementation in Mauritania of international conventions on refugees.

174.The National Advisory Commission on Refugees and Persons in Need of Protection, which is an advisory and coordinating body in the area of refugee protection, is supported by an executive technical committee. The committee is made up of representatives from several government bodies and is responsible for implementing the Commission’s decisions. It meets every two months and can also hold extraordinary sessions where necessary.

175.The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) plays a key role as an observer to the Commission. It is able to propose the convening of extraordinary meetings, participate actively in the work of the Commission and the executive technical committee and provide them with technical support in discharging their duties.

176.The regulations establish that the executive technical committee should draw up an annual work plan and submit it to the Commission for validation. Other specialized committees may be set up to deal with specific issues, in consultation with UNHCR.

177.Each year since 2023, the unit responsible for monitoring cases involving slavery, trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling has run a national awareness-raising campaign on the national and international legal frameworks for tackling these offences. The campaign is aimed at judges, prosecutors, criminal investigation officers, students at law school or Islamic universities and students at the professional training academies and centres for the main branches of the defence and security forces, such as the police, gendarmerie and national guard.

178.In 2025, the unit tasked with monitoring the handling by the courts of cases of slavery and trafficking in persons has been running a national training and awareness-raising campaign for key law enforcement officials. The campaign is ongoing; as at 30 April 2025, workshops had been organized at the Kiffa court of appeal on 23 and 24 February and 28 and 29 April 2025 and the Aleg court of appeal on 26 and 27 February 2025. In addition, training and awareness-raising sessions were held at the National Police Academy on 12 March 2025, the National School of Administration, Journalism and Legal Service Training on 13 March 2025, El-Asrya University in Nouakchott on 19 March 2025, Rosso Gendarmerie Academy on 24 March 2025 and the headquarters of the national guard on 25 March 2025.

179.In order to fulfil its commitment to establish a central authority to coordinate international, regional and bilateral judicial cooperation aimed at preventing and combating migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons, the Ministry of Justice has, pursuant to Decree No. 209-2023, set up a central directorate for cooperation and mutual legal assistance, within which, pursuant to Order No. 114-2025, it has created an office for international legal assistance.

180.The office for international legal assistance is responsible for international judicial cooperation in the criminal, civil, commercial, administrative and arbitral domains.

181.International judicial cooperation in criminal matters encompasses all forms of cooperation, including extradition, mutual legal assistance, the transfer of convicted prisoners, the transfer of criminal proceedings, the laying of information for the purposes of prosecution or sentence enforcement and the exchange of information between services.

182.The mission of the office for international legal assistance is to receive, manage and transmit requests for judicial cooperation made by the national authorities or by foreign authorities, in accordance with the relevant international treaties, conventions or arrangements. It provides the national judicial authorities with the technical assistance they need to draft requests for judicial cooperation. It may also assist foreign authorities with that task.

183.It provides such authorities with information on Mauritanian legislation, in particular the admissibility criteria for requests and the national enforcement procedures.

184.The office for international legal assistance takes all necessary measures to develop and strengthen international cooperation in criminal matters, in particular in combating organized crime, terrorism, money-laundering and financing of terrorism, and corruption. It receives requests for mutual assistance through international judicial cooperation platforms and other competent bodies. In urgent cases, the request for mutual assistance may be transmitted by any means of communication that leaves a written record.

185.Inter-agency cooperation at the national level is regulated. It is coordinated through the national referral mechanism of the National Agency on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants. The Agency receives assistance from the competent public services and bodies in gathering information and statistics on matters relating to their missions and implementing measures to protect and assist victims and protect witnesses and whistle‑blowers.

186.The areas of cooperation with government bodies and international organizations working in the field of victim assistance and protection are determined on the basis of the victims’ needs and requests and the services offered by those ministries and international organizations.

187.Coordinated action is taken to direct victims to the services that can provide them with the necessary assistance, whether material (such as in-kind assistance, supplies or medication) or a service from an administrative institution (such as medical examinations, psychological intervention and treatment, housing, legal research and legal aid).

188.The support can be bilateral or multisectoral, depending on the needs of the victims. Foreign victims may be entitled to stay in the country for a recovery period of up to six months, which can be renewed once, before being repatriated. Measures are in place to facilitate, where appropriate, the voluntary return of victims to their country of origin in the safest possible conditions.

Reply to the issues raised in paragraph 30

189.In order to ensure respect for the rights of foreign nationals and improve migration governance, the Mauritanian authorities ran a far-reaching campaign to regularize the situation of foreign nationals residing in the country unlawfully. The campaign was run in a spirit of respect for human dignity and legal certainty and led to the issuance of residence permits for more than 136,000 foreign nationals. It has helped to:

(a)Enhance protection of the rights of foreign nationals living in Mauritania;

(b)Strengthen national security by improving knowledge of the resident population;

(c)Provide foreign nationals with access to basic services.

190.Outcomes of the campaign to regularize foreign nationals:

Wilaya	Under 18 years old	Over 18 years old	Total
Male	Female	Male	Female
Hodh El Charghi	3  452	3  794	6  272	4  992	18  510
Hodh El Gharbi	324	129	2  148	812	3  413
Assaba	79	28	1  247	350	1  704
Gorgol	129	36	1  200	947	2  312
Brakna	49	4	903	367	1  323
Trarza	175	27	4  478	671	5  351
Adrar	12	5	150	69	236
Nouadhibou	848	280	12  909	2  462	16  499
Tagant	1	0	56	3	60
Guidimagha	618	597	3  224	1 794	6  233
Tiris Zemour	101	38	2  876	313	3  328
Inchir	4	4	52	47	107
Nouakchott W	3  617	2  055	51  473	15  877	73  022
Nouakchott N	700	271	4  370	1  967	7  308
Nouakchott S	394	200	4  862	2  131	7  587
Total	10  503	7  468	96  220	32  802	146  993

191.These efforts are testament to the determination of the Mauritanian authorities to promote inclusion, access to the right to identity and respect for international human rights commitments. They are part of a strategy to modernize the civil registry system, facilitate access to administrative services and promote regularization on humanitarian grounds while taking into account the country’s social and territorial realities.