Mauritania: Ban welcomes release of human rights activists

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the release of human rights activists Biram Dah Abeid and Brahim Ould Bilal on 17 May in Mauritania, following a Supreme Court decision.

“The Secretary-General commends efforts by the Mauritanian authorities to strengthen the rule of law and urges the judicial authorities to carefully investigate the circumstances that led to the arrests of the activists,” said a statement issued by Mr. Ban’s spokesperson in New York.

The statement went on to say that the UN chief also encourages the Mauritanian Government to pursue its efforts to promote national unity and social cohesion.