CAT/OP/MRT/2
I. Introduction
1.
In accordance with the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and
Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Subcommittee on
Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
visited Mauritania from 24 to 28 October 2016.
2.
The Subcommittee was represented by the following members: Catherine Paulet
(head of delegation), Hans-Jörg Viktor Bannwart and Gnambi Garba Kodjo.
3.
The Subcommittee was assisted by two human rights officers and one security
officer from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) and by local interpreters.
4.
The primary objective of the visit was to provide advisory services and technical
assistance to the national mechanism for the prevention of torture in Mauritania, in
accordance with the provisions of article 11 (b) of the Optional Protocol.
5.
As part of its mission to provide advice and technical assistance, the Subcommittee
held several private meetings with the mechanism and accompanied it on a visit to the
civilian prison in Nouakchott.
6.
The present report contains a series of recommendations for the mechanism. These
recommendations are made in line with the Subcommittee’s duty to offer training and
technical assistance with a view to capacity-building and to advise and assist national
preventive mechanisms in evaluating their needs and identifying measures for providing
greater protection for persons deprived of their liberty against torture and other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, in accordance with article 11 (b) (ii) and
(iii), of the Optional Protocol.
7.
During its visit, the Subcommittee delegation met with the Prime Minister, the
Minister of Justice, the Minister of National Defence, the Minister of the Interior and
Decentralization, the Minister of Social Affairs, Children and the Family, the Secretary of
State for Health, the Human Rights Commissioner, the Deputy Chairperson of the Supreme
Court, the Public Prosecutor of the Supreme Court and the Public Prosecutor of Nouakchott
Ouest, as well as with representatives of the National Bar Association, the National Human
Rights Commission, civil society and United Nations organizations in Mauritania (see
annex).
8.
The Subcommittee wishes to express its appreciation to the mechanism for its
cooperation, its commitment and its contribution to the success of the visit. He would also
like to thank the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Mauritania, whose
support facilitated the smooth running of the visit.
9.
The report is currently confidential and it will be for the mechanism to decide
whether to make it public. The Subcommittee does, however, recommend that the report be
published and requests that it be notified of the mechanism’s decision in this regard.
10.
The Subcommittee will send a separate confidential report to the Mauritanian
authorities in which it will make recommendations to the State party.
II. Conduct of the advisory visit
11.
The advisory visit was planned jointly by the Subcommittee and the mechanism,
with the support of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Mauritania,
which acted as the focal point for the preparation of the mission. Several private meetings
were held with the mechanism, which addressed questions of implementation, operation,
working methods and independence, including the modalities for visits and subsequent
recommendations. The Subcommittee also accompanied the mechanism on a visit to the
civilian prison in Nouakchott, so as to be able to observe the mechanism in action and draw
up a report for training purposes after the visit.
GE.18-15827
3