Boubacar Messaoud

Mauritania: Senior police officer accused of ordering attack on human rights defender Boubacar Messaoud promotedposted on: 2009/04/15

Sources in Mauritania have expressed their concern at the announcement of the recent promotion of Mohamed Ould Nejib, Officer in Charge of Riadh-1 police station. Mohamed Ould Nejib is accused of having ordered the attack on human rights defender and President of SOS Esclaves, Boubacar Messaoud during a peaceful demonstration.

Africa

Mauritania: Senior police officer accused of ordering attack on human rights defender Boubacar Messaoud promotedposted on: 2009/04/15

Boubacar Messaoud was reportedly deliberately targeted during a peaceful demonstration on 2 April where he was acting as observer. He was attacked by police officers who knew him well even though he was in a side street and not in the main body of the demonstration. The announcement of the promotion is seen as a message to the police and armed forces that they can take action against human rights defenders and that their loyalty to the regime will be rewarded.

To see the details of the Front Line Urgent Appeal on this case link to Front Line Appeal Mauritania

For further information on this case you can link to News Service on Mauritania in French only

Mauritania

Mauritania: Human rights defender, Mr Boubacar Messaoud, severely beaten by police officersposted on: 2009/04/07

Front Line is seriously concerned following reports that human rights defender, Mr Boubacar Messaoud, was severely beaten by police officers during a demonstration on 2 April 2009 in Nouakchott. Boubacar Messaoud is the President of the Association SOS Esclaves (Slaves Association SOS) and a member of the Commission Nationale des Droits de l'Homme – CNDH (National Human Rights Commission).

Mauritania

Mauritania: Human rights defender, Mr Boubacar Messaoud, severely beaten by police officersposted on: 2009/04/07

Further Information

On 2 April, Boubacar Messaoud was participating as an observer to the demonstration organised by the Coordination des Forces Démocratiques – CFD (Coordination of Democratic Forces) in the context of the visit of French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Niamey, Niger, at the end of March. It is reported that the riot police tried to disperse the demonstrators using excessive force, including tear gas, and clashes between protesters and the police ensued. Several protesters have been severely injured as a result. While far from the main cortege, on a side street, Boubacar Messaoud was reportedly singled out and targeted by police superintendent Ould Nejib, who alerted the three colleagues accompanying him.