UN Welcomes Mauritania Rape Conviction

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has welcomed the conviction and sentencing of a 30-year old man in Mauritania for the rape of a 15-year old girl.

Rupert Colville spoke of the encouraging first step, saying that if it can “be followed up with proper legislation and that legislation then starts to properly be enforced, then perhaps women will be encouraged to come forward more often.

“But clearly that is always a hugely personal and painful decision to make for any individual woman or girl to react to being raped”.

Sexual violence and rape are not criminal offences in Mauritania, and in the past almost all cases have gone unpunished.

This five-year sentence is a surprising U-turn from the court, though one that has not gone unnoticed.

Rape victims seldom come forward and can often end up being prosecuted themselves because Mauritania criminalises sex outside of marriage, even if it is consensual.

Colville said the victim in this case is now pregnant but added that the UN had been offering its support.

“She has been, and we have played a part in this, providing her with shelter and some kind of socioeconomic support to help her initially.

“But we definitely call on the authorities to formally compensate her and ensure that she is properly cared for”, he said.

Sexual violence bills have been brought before the country’s parliament twice before, but both times were struck down.

The UN Human Rights Office is now pushing for the parliament is reintroduce the bill for a third time and ratify it into law.