Mauritania: Prime Minister announces reforms in Mauritania's justice system

Nouakchott, Mauritania (PANA) – Mauritanian Prime Minister Yahya Ould Hademine has announced reforms in the country’s judicial system, aimed at creating an environment for "free, fair, efficient and reliable justice, close to citizens."

In a general policy declaration before Parliament late Monday, he said the reforms should enable the public service to secure investment and get closer to citizens, particularly in the protection the rights of individuals.

“The judiciary will have its capacity strengthened through the presence of judicial and legal bodies in all locations around the country, specialization of lawyers and judicial officers, establishment of communication strategies, modernization of the management of human resources and improvement in the prison conditions,” the Prime Minister elaborated.

In addition, he said the administration of justice would be improved by “adoption of a regulation on criminal protection of children, intensification of the fight against crime corruption as well as the protection and promotion of human rights”.

-0- PANA SAS/IS/MSA/AR 6Jan2014