Mauritania

Located in West Africa, Mauritania borders Algeria, Mali, Senegal and the Western Sahara. A 2005 coup and subsequent reform process seemed to signal a transition towards democracy, but the government elected in 2007 was ousted again a year later by another military takeover. While the persistence of slavery and associated worst forms of labour are the most commonly cited human rights issues in Mauritania, there are also significant problems with harmful traditional practices, particularly involving women and girls, and the administration of justice.