Guidance

Information pack for British nationals arrested or detained in Mauritania

Updated 2 September 2024

Chapter 1: Key points

Overview

If you are a British national, and are arrested or detained in another country, consular staff will do what they can to help you. However, we cannot interfere with the local justice system, get you out of jail, or pay for services such as a lawyer. Information about who we can help, including the circumstances in which we can assist dual nationals, is available at: Support for British nationals abroad. You can also request a paper copy from consular staff.         

This information pack aims to give you, and your family and friends, information about the local system in Mauritania and who can help. Consular staff can provide a printed copy to those in prison or in custody. We welcome feedback to help us improve the information we can provide to others.

Contacting us

If you are arrested or detained in another country:

• the authorities should ask whether you want them to contact the British embassy, high commission or consulate (and must do so if you want them to)
• if they do not ask, you can make the request yourself. You should do this if you are charged with a serious offence or need any kind of assistance
• friends or family can also contact the local British embassy, high commission or consulate or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London on +44 (0)20 7008 5000

In some countries, the authorities might notify the British embassy, high commission or consulate even if you do not want anyone to know that you have been arrested. This is because there may be an agreement in place with the British government which requires a mandatory notification to be made. 

Who we are

Consular staff work in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in the UK, and in British embassies, high commissions and consulates overseas. 

The British Embassy in Mauritania’s details are:

British Embassy Nouakchott
Rue 42-163, B.P. 213, Tevragh Zeina
Nouakchott
Mauritania
Tel: +221 33 868 60 31

You can also contact us by phone 24/7 for help or advice from anywhere in the world by calling the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

What we can do

The FCDO can offer you impartial and non-judgemental help. When we are notified of your arrest or detention, we will aim to contact you as soon as possible, so that we can assess how we can help you. We then aim to provide assistance according to your individual circumstances and local conditions. Our priority is to provide assistance to those British nationals overseas that need our help the most.

After your arrest, the Mauritanian authorities should inform the British embassy within 48 hours of your arrest and detention. This is not always done, and there may be extra delays in the case of accusations of terrorism. We may be informed much more quickly by friends or relations. We will aim to make contact with you as soon as possible.

We can also:

• provide a list of English-speaking lawyers
• provide general information about the country, detention conditions, and the local legal system (including if legal aid is available)
• provide general information about the local prison or remand system, including visiting arrangements, mail and censorship, privileges, and welfare services
• keep in regular contact with you, either by visiting or by telephone/letter. The frequency of contact will depend on local conditions and your personal circumstances
• tell the police or prison doctor, with your permission, about any medical or dental problems including medication
• put you, or your family, in touch with a prisoners’ welfare charity called Prisoners Abroad
• in some circumstances we may be able to help take up complaints with the police or prison authorities about ill treatment, personal safety, or discrimination, if you are not treated in line with internationally recognised standards
• help to transfer money to you from your friends or family. In places where phone or postal services are not available we can also try to pass on messages and deliver letters to the prison (but generally we cannot arrange for delivery directly to you)
• in some circumstances we may be able to help you apply for a transfer to a prison in the UK

What we cannot do

• get you out of prison or detention
• help you get special treatment because you are British
• offer legal advice, start legal proceedings or investigate a crime
• pay for any costs because you have been arrested
• forward you packages sent by friends or family
• prevent authorities from deporting you after release

First steps

Informing family members

If you want us to, we can tell your family or friends that you have been detained and provide them with information about how to contact you. With your consent, we can also keep them updated on your wellbeing. 

If you are not sure about informing your family, we can help you consider what the impact of not doing so might be. For example, it may cause them distress if they do not know where you are, or cannot contact you. It can also be a disadvantage to you if you need someone to send you money or act on your behalf while you are detained.

Informing the UK police

If you are accused of certain serious offences, such as sexual assault or drugs trafficking, we are obliged to share information about your arrest with UK police. Information about this may appear if a Criminal Records Bureau check were carried out by a prospective employer. There may be other circumstances when information about you may need to be shared with authorities in Mauritania.

Legal assistance: lawyers

We cannot give legal advice, start legal proceedings, or investigate a crime. However, we can provide information about the local legal system, including whether a legal aid scheme is available. We can also give you a list of local English-speaking lawyers. You should consider the benefits of local legal representation and discuss all the costs beforehand with the legal representative. We cannot pay your legal or interpretation costs in any circumstance.

Consular assistance: fair treatment

We cannot get you out of prison or detention, or get you special treatment because you are British. If you are not treated in line with internationally accepted standards, we will consider whether to approach the local authorities. This may include if your trial does not follow internationally recognised standards or is unreasonably delayed compared to local cases.

Other organisations that can provide assistance

We can put you, or your family, in touch with Prisoners Abroad, a UK charity which supports British citizens detained overseas and their families.

Chapter 2: Detention conditions in Mauritania

Visits: friends and family

Who can visit and how to arrange visits

You should consult FCDO travel advice before you travel to Mauritania for the latest information on safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings.

Prison visits are not restricted to family members. A spouse/partner, parents, siblings, children and friends are all allowed to visit. A written request for each visit will be made on your behalf to the authorities in Mauritania. Each visit is valid for 24 hours.

There are no set rules on the number of visits allowed. The prison is closed on national holidays.

What to expect when you visit

Prison conditions are very basic compared to UK standards. Conditions in prisons outside Nouakchott are often worse, especially inland where temperatures can remain high through most of the year. Sanitation is limited; mosquitoes, cockroaches and rats are commonplace. Overcrowding is a constant problem.

What you can take on your visit

Basics items such as toiletries and food should present no problems however, no alcohol is permitted and food stored in glass jars or tins is not allowed. All medicines must be approved by the prison doctor. No electronic recording equipment or cameras are allowed.

Reading material should not contain any reference to offensive, blasphemous, religious or sexual behaviour. This list is by no means exhaustive and can change without notice depending on the officer in charge. Families should contact the FCDO in advance of their visit so we can provide them with an updated list of unrestricted items.

Visits: consular staff

Prisons outside Nouakchott are very difficult for consular staff to visit. FCDO travel advice advises against all travel to some parts of Mauritania and the risks to staff travelling would need to be assessed on an individual basis.

We hope to visit you every 3 months. You will be called to the prison administration offices during a consular visit.

We will offer to contact your family or next of kin to update them. We can give them advice on prison procedures, regulations, your morale and how you are doing. We can also pass on any messages from you. You can write to us at any time on matters of concern.

Police custody and initial arrival at prison

Arriving at the police station: your basic rights

Police stations are very basic. Some do not have access to reliable electricity or much office equipment. Most police will speak only Hassaniya, a dialect of Arabic; a few will have basic French. Literacy levels in both languages are low. Police cells and holding areas are often overcrowded, unsanitary and poorly ventilated. You will be required to make a statement which will normally be written in the local language. Do not sign anything you do not understand. You are allowed access to translators and consular officials.

Chapter 3: The Mauritanian judicial system

In brief, the system is a mix of inherited French Civil Law and Sharia Law. According to the constitution, Sharia is the sole source of law, and its influence has increased with a policy of Arabisation and Islamisation. But Mauritania does not apply laws on stoning, amputation, etc. and there has been a de facto moratorium on the death penalty.

The FCDO cannot interfere with the judicial system. We cannot ask for your case to be judged more quickly just because you are British, or ask the authorities to waive any penalties.

What should happen when I am arrested?

On arrest, Police will take a statement, known as a “process verbale”. This will outline the reason for your arrest and your response to questions at interview. Remember do not sign anything you do not understand. You have the right to an interpreter and consular assistance.

Prison: conditions and daily life

Prison conditions are very basic compared to UK standards. Conditions in prisons outside Nouakchott, are often worse, especially inland where temperatures can remain high through most of the year. Sanitation is limited; mosquitoes, cockroaches and rats are commonplace. Overcrowding is a constant problem.

Former prisoners have said the key to survival is money – in Mauritanian prisons you pay for everything yourself. If your family cannot support you, Prisoners Abroad may be able to send you a small grant every quarter for essentials. Consular staff will discuss the support available from Prisoners Abroad at your first visit. Money received from the UK will be deposited into your prison account. Please note that consular staff cannot be responsible for the loss of funds by the Prison Authorities. The British embassy/consulate does not provide financial support for British nationals in prisons abroad.

Food and diet

The food provided by the prison authority is typically of poor quality. Prisoners would be advised to look for an outside source of food using personal money. You may be able to join a food group and share food costs with other prisoners. All prisoners fast during Ramadan.

Work and study

Some NGOs have tried to help in setting up education programmes particularly for women and young people. Generally there is no work available for foreign prisoners. There are small libraries with limited information aimed at the local population and most books are in Arabic.

You can request local language materials through the post from Prisoners Abroad (including language textbooks and dictionaries).

Can I receive medical and dental treatment?

Basic medical care is available. Prisoners are taken to local hospitals or clinics for serious illnesses. Treatment standards will be very low. There are very few dentists in the country. There is a risk of malaria in the south of the country.

Rules and regulations (including drugs)

In some prisons drug abuse is rife. Mauritania takes a hard line on drugs. If you are caught holding or taking drugs, punishment can be severe. Alcohol is not permitted.

Can I make telephone calls?

Prison authorities are relatively relaxed about the use of mobile phones, however rules can change at any point. You should check locally on what the current situation and attitude to mobile phones inside the prison is before using one. Phone calls are likely to be monitored.

Leisure and entertainment

There is very limited provision for recreational activities. Not all prisons have areas with access to the open air. Some prisons will have access to exercise yards, games of football are possible in some prisons.

Mail/ Parcels

There is no postal delivery service. Parcels would need to be sent by a family member or a friend and that person needs to be physically present.

Chapter 4: Additional information

Prison: access to help and services

Receiving money

There are 2 ways you may be able to receive financial assistance while in prison:

• private funds: deposited to you by your family or friends
• prisoners abroad: depending on where you are detained, in Mauritania if your family cannot support you financially, Prisoners Abroad may be able to send you a small grant every quarter for essentials (enough for one hot meal a day)

The UK government does not provide financial assistance to prisoners.

Private funds

While the FCDO does not provide financial assistance to prisoners, we may be able, within certain limits, to send you money from your family or friends. Please note that you cannot have cash sent to you in the post.

The FCDO operates a ‘Prison Comfort’ system for money transfers to prisoners. Ask your family or friends to get in touch with the FCDO to arrange this.

We cannot receive payment by credit or debit card, or by cash.

Prisoners Abroad

Prisoners Abroad may be able to assist you with funding for prison essentials and some medical care if you are not receiving regular funding from other sources.

Making a complaint about mistreatment

If you have been mistreated, you should inform consular staff as soon as it is safe for you to do so. We will then do our best to visit you, to check on your welfare, discuss the allegations, and explain any local complaints procedures and supportive organisations that you may wish to consider. With your permission, and where appropriate, we will consider approaching the local authorities if you have not been treated in line with internationally accepted standards. If you have been mistreated, try to see a doctor, obtain a medical report and if possible, take photos of your injuries.

Trial and legal assistance

Legal assistance: lawyers and legal aid

If you wish to hire a private lawyer, see for a list of English-speaking lawyers.

Prisoners Abroad can also supply general (non-country specific) information on legal aid, court proceedings and can advise on appointing a lawyer.

What should happen when I am arrested?

On arrest, Police will take a statement, known as a “process verbale”. This will outline the reason for your arrest and your response to questions at interview. Remember do not sign anything you do not understand. You have the right to an interpreter and consular assistance.

For how long can I be remanded in custody?

You can be remanded for up to 2 periods of 48 hours before formal charges are filed. The period may be longer if you are accused of drug offences. In cases of suspected terrorism, you may be remanded for up to 15 days if authorised by a prosecutor. As a foreign national, you have the right to speak to consular staff immediately but may only be allowed to contact a lawyer after the first 48-hour period. If you are suspected of terrorist activity, the rules are much stricter and no access to lawyers or family will be possible until charges are filed.

What happens when I am charged?

A prosecutor, or a judge, can send a suspect directly to prison, depending on the crime. Preventative detention can last up to 4 months whilst awaiting a trial or further investigation.

What provision is there for bail?

Preventative detention can be appealed.

What kind of legal assistance is available

Consular staff cannot give legal advice, but they can provide you with a list of lawyers, some of whom speak English. Prisoners Abroad can also supply information.

What happens at the trial?

There is no jury system in Mauritania. Trials are public and the accused has the right to a lawyer at their own expense. Proceedings will be conducted in Arabic/Hassaniya.

Sentences

If found guilty and there is a custodial sentence, then the time already spent in prison during investigations the trial will be taken into account.

How can appeals be made?

Appeals should be made in writing within 15 days of the judgement. A second appeal can be made to the Supreme Court.

What provision is there for reduction of sentence (remission) e.g. for good behaviour?

There is no system for granting remission (time off your sentence) for foreign nationals.

What provision is there for early release e.g. on parole?

There is no parole for foreign nationals.

What provision is there for clemency or pardon?

Prisoners have been released for health reasons. Presidential pardons are often granted during Ramadan.

What about any financial penalties?

Financial penalties are quite common in addition to any custodial sentence. Any financial penalty must be settled before your release date, you may serve a further custodial sentence if you are unable to pay any fines imposed upon you.

Is transfer to another prison within Mauritania possible?

This may be possible depending on the category of offence. Those convicted of serious economic crime may be sent to Bir Moghrein, an isolated area near Western Sahara. Those convicted of terrorist offences are kept at the Maison Centrale in Nouakchott.

Prisoners Abroad

Since 1978 the charity Prisoners Abroad has offered practical support and advice to British citizens imprisoned abroad. It is the only UK charity providing this service. It is available to all, whether guilty or innocent, convicted or awaiting charge or trial. Prisoners Abroad supports your health and welfare during your imprisonment. It can also provide support on your return to the UK, through their resettlement service (if you have registered whilst in prison). They can also provide support and advice to your family when you are in prison. To access any services, you must first register with Prisoners Abroad by signing and returning their authorisation form.

Once you seek help from Prisoners Abroad, the Prisoner & Family Support Service will be your point of contact for advice and information. The type of assistance they can offer varies from country to country, but generally they can provide you with information, in English, on:

• your rights as a prisoner
• issues that may affect you such as health or transfer to the UK
• getting magazines, newspapers, books and the regular Prisoners Abroad newsletter
• learning the language of your country of imprisonment
• translating documents
• grants for food if you are in a developing country and do not have funds from other sources
• grants for essential medicines and toiletries if you do not have funds from other sources
• preparing for release
• help for your loved ones, including information, family support groups and, in a few cases, assistance with the cost of visiting
• freepost envelopes to help you stay in touch with others

Prisoners Abroad details are:

89 – 93 Fonthill Road
London N4 3JH
UK
UK Helpline +44 (0)20 7561 6820 or 0808 172 0098
Mondays to Fridays  9:30am to 4:30pm (UK time)

FCDO guidance: Support for British nationals abroad

FCDO guidance: Arrested abroad: advice for British nationals

List of English-Speaking Lawyers

List of Private Translators/Interpreters

Prisoners Abroad Forms

FCDO leaflet: In prison abroad

FCDO leaflet: Transfers home for prisoners abroad

Prisoners abroad authorisation form