In Mauritania, the country with the world's highest incidence of modern slavery, it is apparent that being saved from such slavery charges that person for committing a crime. Why would anyone be charged for being saved from slavery? Mauritania was the last country in the world to abolish the practice of slavery, and yet, in 2007 it was only then that they considered owning humans was a criminal act. That should mean that escaping slavery is non-punishable then, right? Since the law states that it is a criminal act to own any humans. But that was not the case for 15 year-old girl, Mbeirika Mint M'bareck, who had been freed from slavery, yet had been charged for having sex outside marriage (which can be punishable by death through stoning). Although it was not of her consent to be submitted into rape and commit adultery, that charge is looked upon more than the fact that she had been enslaved for adultery had been a longer standing law than slavery is.With these charges, it shows the sad, slow progress Mauritania is making towards equality. This 15 year-old girl is just a reminder that slavery goes on even in today's time, and that it should finally be brought to justice once and for all so that slavery is eradicated in every part of the world. So, as another country who looks upon this, how does this relate back to slavery in America with African-Americans? And, also (looking at the current situation at hand), what are some ways that slavery can truly be abolished in Mauritania?
I think that this is a very difficult situation to deal with especially because Mauritania seems to be somewhat behind the US in terms of acceptance. Americans saw slaves as an economic boost and as property back before the civil war(and even now), so I can see where the people of Mauritania are coming from; however, just because people see something a certain way doesn't mean that their view is moral or just. It took a war that depended on slavery for Lincoln to approve the release of slaves. It may take this if not more to bring the people of Mauritania to their sense. Moreover, based on the case of sex outside marriage, this indicates that the culture there is very harsh and restrictive, meaning that the people there cling to traditions with an iron grip. With that said, I believe it will take a lot for slavery to be truly abolished in Mauritania.
ReplyDeleteBecause Mauritania is a country in WEST Africa, the portion of the continent which was included in the Middle Passage, it is not surprising that slavery would be present. What IS surprising is the fact that, from what I see of various maps regarding the triangular slave trade route, Europeans and Americans barely touched upon Mauritania compared to some other countries, yet Mauritania only recently criminalized slavery. One would imagine that it would be the countries that had the most contact with the Europeans that would let go of slavery last. In addition to this, Mauritania seems to be having difficulties dealing with the lingering effects of slavery, similar to how we STILL have trouble giving African-Americans complete equality after the abolition of slavery. I feel that Mauritania should enforce its law properly by giving the proper punishment to the slave owners, and in case of a woman who is pregnant before marriage, consider the fact that she has been enslaved and subjected to sexual activities despite her not giving consent. This would most likely ensure that the slave owner wouldn't repeat what he or she did when they are released, reassured that he or she wouldn't get a large punishment anyway. This method would, I hope, assist in the decline of slavery, though it wouldn't be able to COMPLETELY abolish slavery.
ReplyDeleteTrue. I agree with what you had to say about the country and how it ties to the slavery through being a country within Africa. And I guess I may have worded the question a bit oddly by saying 'truly' abolished. But by saying 'truly' I mean to live by their world that they abolished slavery when they said they did back in 2007. "Living by your word" sort of speak.
DeleteSlavery is an issue that is literally all over the world. The highest slavery count right now for an area is in southeast Asia, shown by a map from freetheslaves.net, and while it's not the same as it was before we definitely still have slaves here in the United States because the sex trafficking industry is actually quite large here, and this sex trafficking occurs all over the world as well. Slavery within southeast Asia is the sweatshops, prostitution, on plantations or even forced marriage and many other different forms. I would agree with what Joy said about how Mauritania in specific seems so "behind" the US when it comes to this sort of thing. I think that maybe these slave owners and whatnot can be taught, be it via foreigners or otherwise, that slavery is just not right, and they should work to abolish it, but there also needs to be economic improvements and whatnot happening at the same time so that there just isn't a need for slavery.
ReplyDeleteI believe that to help abolish slavery in Mauritania, the people of the country need to have more empathy towards victims of slavery and rape.The lack of empathy towards M'bareck actually justifies those who raped her. The law states that since she committed an act of adultery, that she violated the law and should be punished for it. However, her prosecutors seem to have disregarded the fact that she did not want to be involved in these sexual relations, and was therefore, raped as a part of being a slave. Since slavery is outlawed, the slave owner should be punished, rather than the girl. It is pointed out that slavery was outlawed after adultery was; however, by looking at the situation, it appears that the girl had no say in her "act of adultery." Just as the US was during the time of Reconstruction, although Mauritania did abolish slavery, it does not mean that everyone agreed with it. Now that it has been outlawed, it is important to help improve the people's views on the issue.
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