commission of inquiry to shed light on these violations, brought the authors to justice according to the internationally respected rules regarding fair trial, without using the death penalty; tried all other political prisoners according to international norms, and compensated the victims in a satisfactory manner. The Government’s Response: 28. The government’s response to these allegations was that Amnesty International had taken sides in the conflict between Senegal and Mauritania. The government admits that there had been what it calls “incidents” in late 1990, but that the “necessary measures had been taken to restore order as soon as possible and to limit the damage”. It also declares that administrative sanctions were imposed on some army officers. The government maintains that a new pluralist Constitution was adopted, and that Mauritania is now a democratic State that respects the norms of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. 29. At the 19th session of the Commission, the Mauritanian government representative in attendance did not contest the complainants’ allegations, claiming that graves and massive human rights violations had been committed between 1989 and 1991. He expressed his governments wish to work together with the Commission to assist the victims, making it clear that the country’s economic could not allow them all to be compensated. He further declared that it would be difficult to verify the situation of each one prior to the 1989 events, which would make their resettlement impossible. He continued, saying that all those displaced could return to their native villages. Besides, the Mauritanian government representative categorically denied that the Black ethnic groups did not have the right to speak their languages. He reiterated his government’s official position, that slavery had been abolished in Mauritania during French colonial days. Provisions of the Charter Alleged to have been Violated: The communications allege violation of articles 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19 and 26 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Procedure: 30. Communication 54/91 is dated 16 July 1991 and was submitted by Malawi African Association, a non-governmental organisation. 31. The Commission was seized of it on 14 November 1991 and the Mauritanian government was notified and called upon to make its observations known. No response was received from it. 32. At the 19th session held in March 1996, the Commission heard Mr. Ahmed Motala, representative of Amnesty International, Mr. Halidou Ouédraogo of UIDH, Mr. Alioune Tine and Mr. C. Faye of RADDHO, as well as the representative of the 7