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Friday, April 27, 2012 By Rajah Satterwhite
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A group of CNN reporters
were stunned and slightly bewildered when the findings of their hidden agenda
illustrated an entirely different profile of the African country, Mauritania
from what the government wants outsiders and tourist to believe. What is the
Mauritanian government hiding behind the vast Saharan desert, growing economy,
and increased social awareness? A convoluted yet solid institution of
slavery that has plagued millions for over hundreds of years. In 2007 a law was
passed that abolished slavery and rendered the enslavement of any person
illegal, yet only one slave owner has been tried and prosecuted for his
involvement since the law came into effect.
In 1981, Mauritania became
the last country in the world to abolish slavery according to data collected by
the CNN reporters discovered from local archives and government officials. “An
estimated 10% to 20% of Mauritania’s 3.4 million people are enslaved — in “real
slavery,” according to the United Nations’ special rapporteur on contemporary
forms of slavery, Gulnara Shahinian.” Under the assumption that the reporters
were in search of locusts to study their behavior in the Saharan desert,
government assigned aides sent to “monitor” their every move and interaction
with locals were partially clueless of the secret meetings that took place
during the night.
Students from Hillside New
Tech were invited to watch clips and read short articles about slavery’s
existence in Mauritania many were shocked that this form of slavery still
festered in the world, but could easily describe modernized forms of slavery
they felt are present throughout America’s society.
“If oppression counts, of
course; minorities always conform to majority. [You] know who the minority and
who the majority is so there is no reason to identify that,” Joseph Celestin
stated firmly when asked whether or not he thinks slavery exists in America
today.
The nation’s geographical
build also serves as a barrier between present slave owners and government
regulators who shun the slightest implication or hint at the still thriving
slave industry. Abdel Nasser Ould Ethmane, former slave owner at the age of 16,
has vowed to end slavery through his organization that assists slaves who wish
to escape or shelter those who are not yet accustomed to the norms of society
in the inner cities.
Hopefully the steps made by
the CNN team will bring additional awareness to the country’s hidden slave
industry.
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