A Mauritanian lawyer, Yaqub Al-Sayyif, has reported that he and his clients, Abd al-Rahman Akmash and Tabeeba Akmash, have been denied communication with each other and with their family members. The clients were detained by police in a case known as the "foreign bloggers file". Al-Sayyif stated that this restriction constitutes a serious violation of several rights, including the right of a lawyer to communicate with their client.
Al-Sayyif emphasized that the law, specifically Article 2 of the anti-torture law, guarantees the right of a detained individual to communicate with a lawyer. He expressed concern that his clients were denied this right, as well as their mother's right to know their whereabouts. The lawyer reported that he has been officially authorized by the clients' mother to represent them in this case, alongside another lawyer, Abah Imbarak.
According to Al-Sayyif, the detention of his clients has raised concerns about their well-being and that of their family members. He stated that the clients' mother is worried about her children's situation and that her own health may be at risk due to the uncertainty surrounding her children's whereabouts. Al-Sayyif also raised questions about the circumstances of the clients' transfer from one location to another.
The lawyer claimed that there are reports that one of the female clients was transferred from Amoud to a camp in eastern Mauritania. Al-Sayyif described the transfer of a woman from Amoud to another location, where she was placed among men, as a form of physical coercion. He argued that such actions are not conducive to a fair investigation.
Al-Sayyif stressed that the right of a detained individual to communicate with their lawyer is a fundamental right that should not hinder the investigation. He called on human rights organizations to intervene in this case, citing concerns about the treatment of his clients. The lawyer emphasized that the purpose of legal procedures is to protect those who come into conflict with the law.
The case has sparked concerns about the treatment of detainees and the respect for their rights in Mauritania. Al-Sayyif's statements highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability in the country's law enforcement and detention procedures. The incident has also raised questions about the conditions under which detainees are held and the extent to which they are able to exercise their rights.
Al-Sayyif's allegations have not been officially confirmed or denied by the authorities. The case is ongoing, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold. The lawyer's demands for greater access to his clients and for respect for their rights are clear, and it is now up to the authorities to respond to these concerns.
Key points
- The Mauritanian authorities have not commented on the allegations made by lawyer Yaqub Al-Sayyif.
- Al-Sayyif's clients were detained in a case known as the "foreign bloggers file".
- The lawyer has called on human rights organizations to intervene in the case.
