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9 Int'l J. Soc. Sci. Stud. 1 (2021)

handle is hein.journals/ijsoctu9 and id is 1 raw text is: International Journal of Social Science Studies Faine Vol. 9, No. 1; January 2021 ISSN 2324-8033 E-ISSN 2324-8041 Published by Redfame Publishing URL: http://ijsss.redfame.com Hereditary Slavery Shackles Mauritania Shaul M. Gabbay1 Ph. D., Global Research Institute, Denver, Colorado USA Correspondence: Professor Shaul M. Gabbay, Global Research Institute, Denver, Colorado USA. Received: August 12, 2020 Accepted: November 11, 2020 Available online: November 24, 2020 doi:10.11114/ijsss.v9il.5088 URL: https://doi.org/10.11114/ijsss.v9il.5088 Abstract This paper exposes the scourge of slavery that continues to thrive in the country of Mauritania in modern times. Though the practice is formally abolished and illegal, and the government continues to claim slavery has been eradicated, the truth lies elsewhere. 90,000 dark-skinned slaves, often referred to as Black Moors, continue to live deplorable lives in servitude to their lighter-skinned masters. The Mauritanian government is helping the scourge of slavery endure by denying its existence and providing it cover. Their task is made easier as the face of slavery changes and becomes hidden in the throes of modern commerce, making it more difficult for an outsider to differentiate between a low-income wage earner and a slave. Other situations are painfully identifiable, such as conducting human trafficking for purposes of prostitution. In all situations, women and children make up the vast majority of indentured servants. Due to a forced dearth of educational opportunity, slaves are often illiterate and therefore largely unable to emancipate themselves without outside help. Deeply entrenched belief systems, practices, and governmental and societal structures that exist in Mauritania secure an environment that allows slavery to continue to thrive. In addition to the Mauritanian government, businesses, educational facilities, NGO's, and members of society at every level must take decisive action to eradicate the practice and change the beliefs that hold it in place. Foreign governments and businesses hold great power in their willingness to engage with Mauritanian leaders. By withholding financial aid and business deals international players have the opportunity to hasten the eradication of slavery in Mauritania This paper examines the depth of the slavery problem and recommends multiple steps for its elimination. Keywords: slavery, black Moors, poverty, Mauritania, trafficking 1. Introduction The practice of slavery, a human exploitation once routinely practiced and accepted in nearly every society on earth, has slowly faded from social and legal acceptance over the past two centuries. Long practiced by colonizers and supported by religious doctrines and traditions, today, the practice is illegal in every nation individually as well as by international law, which defines slavery as the status or condition of a person over whom any or all of the powers attaching to the right of ownership are exercised. (Marlin & Mathewson, 2015). Despite social repugnance and outright illegality, this illicit practice exists in every nation on earth even as it stealthily drops out of view. Today at least 40 million people-71% of whom are women, and 25% children- continue to suffer some form of bondage. (Anti-Slavery International, 2020.) In the country of Mauritania, located on Western African on the north Atlantic coast, human bondage is entrenched and concealed. (Minderoo Foundation, 2019.) The global slavery index rates Mauritania as having the 6th highest prevalence of modern slavery in the world, yet the government denies its existence, citing a few rare incidences as aberrations. Unfortunately, reality speaks otherwise as an estimated 90,000 Mauritanian citizens continue to be subjected to slavery in 2020, or 2.4% of the total population. (Voice of America, 2018.) When Mauritania formally abolished slavery in 1981, it was the last country in the world to do so. It would take another 26 years for its government to pass a law enforcing abolition. The government acted reluctantly and only in response to intense international pressure. Given their lackluster efforts to implement the new law, many believe the abolishment to be window-dressing, a guise to appear concerned without any serious intent to end the practice. The word 'practice' dulls the scope of the true depravity: this is slavery in the truest sense, in which slaves are forbidden from owning property, from having a last name, or of possessing legal custody of their own children. (The Atlantic, 2011.) This 'non-person' status leads to unspeakable horrors that such a status often merits, such as horrific working and living 1

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