Mauritania - Feburary 2023

Souvi Ould Jibril Ould Cheine, a well-known human rights activist and representative of the Haratine community (descendants of former slaves), was taken into police custody on the night of 9 February. He died in hospital hours later. An autopsy found that the cause of death was a neck fracture and strangulation, and his family has alleged that he was tortured. News of Chein’s death was met with large protests that were broken up by riot police. Eight people have been charged in connection with Chein’s death. Included among those charged are four security officials (including the police commissioner for the station where Chein was detained) who have been charged with crimes that include torture and premeditated murder. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights has called upon the government of Mauritania to ensure that those responsible for his death are brought to justice.

Sources: Swissinfo, Siglo XXI, Peoples Dispatch, MauriWeb, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights