Mauritanian MPs pass slavery law
Thursday, 9 August 2007

Many Mauritanians are born into slavery Mauritania's parliament has unanimously passed legislation making the practice of slavery punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

The new law also stipulates that anyone found guilty of promoting or being an apologist for slavery could face two years in jail.

A Mauritanian anti-slavery group, SOS Slavery, welcomed the law as a victory for the people of Mauritania.

Slavery persists in parts of Mauritania even though it was banned in 1981. the rest