54/91: Malawi African Association vs/Mauritania; 61/91: Amnesty International vs/Mauritania; 98/93: Ms. Sarr Diop, Union Interafricaine des Droits de l’Homme and RADDHO vs/Mauritania; 164/97 à 196/97: Collectif des Veuves et Ayants-droit vs/Mauritania; 210/98: Association Mauritanienne des Droits de l’Homme vs/Mauritania Rapporteur: 17th session: Commissioner Blondin Beye 18th session: Commissioner Ondziel-Gnelenga 19th session: Commissioner Ondziel-Gnelenga 20th session: Commissioner Ondziel-Gnelenga 21st session: Commissioner Ondziel-Gnelenga 22nd session: Commissioner Ondziel-Gnelenga 23rd session: Commissioner Ondziel-Gnelenga 24th session: Commissioner Ondziel-Gnelenga 25th session: Commissioner Ondziel-Gnelenga 26th session: Commissioner Ondziel-Gnelenga 27th session: Commissioner Ondziel-Gnelenga _________________________________________________ Summary of facts: 1. These communications relate to the situation prevailing in Mauritania between 1986 and 1992. The Mauritanian population, it should be remarked, is composed essentially of Moors (also known as ‘Beidanes’) who live in the North of the country, and various black ethnic groups, including the Soninke, Wolofs and the Hal-Pulaar in the South. The Haratines (freed slaves) are closely associated with the Moors, though they physically resemble the Black population of the South. 2. Following a coup d’état that took place in 1984, and which brought Colonel Maaouya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya to power, the government was criticised by members of the Black ethnic groups for marginalising Black Mauritanians. It was also criticised by a group of Beidanes who favoured closer ties with the Arab world. 3. Communication 61/91 alleges that in early September 1986, over 30 persons were arrested in the aftermath of the distribution of a document entitled “Le Manifeste des negro - mauritaniens opprimés” (Manifesto of the Oppressed Black Mauritanians). The document provided evidence of the racial discrimination to which the Black Mauritanians were subjected and demanded the opening of a dialogue with the government. Twenty-one persons were found guilty of holding unauthorised meetings and pasting and distributing publications that were injurious to the national interest, and of engaging in racial and ethnic propaganda. They were convicted and imprisoned, after series of trials that took place in September and October 1986. The accused had been 1