Mauritania

Repressive laws on criminal defamation, spreading “false information,” cybercrime, and blasphemy have been used by authorities to prosecute and jail human rights defenders, activists, journalists, and bloggers. Parliament has adopted an overly broad law that stipulates fines and harsh prison sentences for the publication of “false news.” Security forces sometimes use excessive force to disperse peaceful protests. Parliament has yet to pass a draft law on violence against women and girls introduced in 2016. Slavery in certain forms has not been eliminated despite multiple laws banning it and specialized courts to prosecute those who enslave others.