Mauritania: the ultimatum imposing sanctions on the military junta must be respected

Brussels, 20/11/2008

ETUC and ITUC sound the alarm, noting that 20 November is the date set for the expiry of the ultimatum issued to the military officials in power in this country. The European and international trade union movement join the trade union organisations in Mauritania in calling for the application of the sanctions against the regime in Mauritania. The sanctions are to be applied until democracy has been restored, which must be as soon as possible. These sanctions must cover all EU aid and loans, including those in key sectors for trade with this country, as aid measures may contribute to keeping the junta in power.

The international trade union movement issues a pressing appeal to the high-level meeting to be held tomorrow, on 21 November, in Addis Abeba, between the European and African Union, to highlight the need for coherence in bilateral and multilateral policies. It is also essential that the solution adopted will lead to the suspension of bilateral aid from European Union countries to Mauritania, as well as this measure being extended to the multilateral institutions – the World Bank and African Development Bank in particular.

See below for the letter (available in French only) from ETUC and ITUC to Mr Louis Michel.

Further information

Press service of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC): +32 2 224 0204 or +32 476 621 018.