Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2015
139. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware, of the ongoing and continued detention of a person (details supplied), a non-violent anti-slavery activist in Mauritania; and that his continued detention is political in nature; and if he will raise concerns regarding the case with his Mauritanian counterpart. [36923/15]
View answerI am aware of the continuing detention in Mauritania of Mr Biram Abeid, the founder and President of the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement in Mauritania. He was a candidate in Mauritania's 2014 Presidential election, in which he was runner-up.
Together with other activists, Biram Abeid was arrested during a peaceful demonstration against slavery on 11 November 2014. He was subsequently charged with offences including inciting violence, disturbing public order and being a member of an unregistered organization. On 15 January 2015, he was sentenced to two years in prison. An appeal against his sentence, which was heard on 20 August, was turned down.
Ireland does not have an Embassy in Mauritania. However, following his conviction, the EU Delegation there issued a statement registering concern at the heavy sentence imposed on Biram Abeid. The Delegation reiterated the commitment of the EU to respect all human rights, including the rights of association and of peaceful protest and called on the Mauritanian authorities, as well as civil society in Mauritania, to intensify their efforts to eradicate slavery through peaceful dialogue.
I fully support the terms of the EU Statement. I call on the Mauritanian authorities to release Biram Abeid immediately and unconditionally; to allow him to register his organisation with the authorities; and to end the continuing harassment of the anti-slavery movement in the country.
My Department will continue to monitor developments in this case. In this context, I note that the human rights record of Mauritania is the subject of a Universal Periodic Review which is taking place at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva today. Ireland will use this opportunity to present a statement on the human rights situation in Mauritania.
