An emblematic figure of the anti-slavery cause, Dah has become the subject of judicial harassment by the Mauritanian authorities and has, together with other activists in his organisation, been subjected to harassment, intimidation and violence for many years.

In 2010, following his investigation into a confirmed case of slavery, Dah was assaulted and taken into custody, before being persecuted in January 2011 along with five other members of IRA - Mauritania for "membership in an unregistered organisation" and "illegal gathering".

On 11 November, whilst taking part in a protest known as the "Caravan for the abolition of slavery", which was brought around the country to raise awareness of the issue of slavery, Dah and other activists were arrested without any warrant by the security services.

After being detained in the gendarmerie facilities, he was brought before the prosecutor who ordered his imprisonment in the Rosso prison and charged him with "participating in illegal protest", "public disorder" and "resisting police forces".

Dah is currently deprived of any contact with family, which was only able to see him once, on the last day of his arrest, and no lawyer has yet been allowed to visit him.

There are no doubts that this new arrest intends to prevent Dah, once again, to exercise his activities of human rights defender, as well as his right to freedom of peaceful assembly, both guaranteed by the Islamic Republic of Mauritania's Constitution.

These persecutions are part of a general campaign of harassment and repression conducted by the Mauritanian authorities against human rights defenders with the objective of silencing dissent.

In light of the information provided, Alkarama requested the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders to intervene urgently with the Mauritanian authorities to put an end to Biram Dah's detention.

As a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) since 17 November 2004, Mauritania respect its citizens' fundamental rights and cease all acts of persecution against activists who peacefully call for the respect of human rights.

For more information or an interview, please contact the media team at media@alkarama.org (Dir: +41 22 734 1007 Ext: 810)