civil servants. All those arrested were from the South of the country. Later, the authorities alleged that there had been an attempt to unseat the government; but no proof was ever given. The accused were never put on trial, but were kept in what communication 96/93 describes as "death camps", in extremely harsh conditions. 22. Communication 61/91 contains a list of 339 persons believed to have died in detention. Some detainees were reportedly executed without trial. Thirty-three soldiers were hung, without trial, on 27th and 28th November 1990. Others were buried in sand to their necks and left to die a slow death. Many however died as a result of the torture they underwent. The methods used include the so-called 'Jaguar' mentioned above, electric shocks to the genital organs, as well as burns all over their bodies. 23. In February 1991, detainees in the J'Reida military camp were undressed, hands tied behind their backs, sprayed with cold water and beaten with iron bars. The 'Jaguar' torture was also utilised. The detainees were burned with coal embers, or they had some powder spread on their eyes, causing a terrible burning sensation. Their heads were plunged in dirty water to the point of suffocation; some were buried in sand to their necks. They were permanently chained in their cells, without toilet facilities. Some were kept in underground cells or dark cells where it got very cold at night. 24. In March 1991, the government announced the release of a number of political prisoners who had been convicted, as well as of other persons detained since November and December 1990. In April, other detainees were released, and President Maaouya Ould Taya announced that all those arrested had been released. However, there was never any response to the reports referring to people who had been killed in detention, nor on the unknown fate of many detainees. Communication 61/91 provides a list of 142 people whose deaths are confirmed, and another 197 who were not released and are probably dead. 25. According to communication 61/91, the government set up a commission of inquiry, but did not indicate either its prerogatives or the extent of its field of action. It [was] essentially composed of military men. And even if one were to believe that the commission has finished its work, no report ever made its conclusions public. 26. Communication 54/91 alleges that there are over 100,000 Black slaves serving in Beidane houses. And that though 300,000 had bought their freedom, they remain second-class citizens. Besides, Blacks do not have the right to speak their own languages. According to communication 98/93, a quarter of the population (500,000 out of 2,000,000 inhabitants in the country) are either slaves or Haratines (freed slaves). The freed slaves maintain many traditional and social links with their former masters, which constitutes a more subtle form of exploitation. 27. Amnesty International, Union Interafricaine des Droits de l'Homme and Rencontre africaine pour la défense des droits de l'Homme made statements at the 19th Session, reiterating the facts already presented. Amnesty International stated in writing that an amicable settlement could only be possible if the government set up an independent commission of inquiry to shed light on these violations, brought the authors to justice according to the internationally respected rules regarding fair trial, without using the death penalty; tried all other political prisoners according to international norms, and compensated the victims in a satisfactory manner. The Government's Response 28. The government's response to these allegations was that Amnesty International had taken sides in the conflict between Senegal and Mauritania. The government admits that there had been what it calls "incidents" in late 1990, but that the "necessary measures had been taken to restore order as soon as possible and to limit the damage". It also declares that administrative sanctions were imposed on some army officers. The government maintains that a new pluralist Constitution was adopted, and that Mauritania is now a democratic State that respects the norms of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. 29. At the 19th Session of the Commission, the Mauritanian government representative in attendance did not contest the complainants' allegations, claiming that grave and massive human rights violations had been committed between 1989 and 1991. He expressed his governments wish to work together with the Commission to assist the victims, making it clear that the country's economy could not allow them all to be compensated. He further declared that it would be difficult to verify the situation of each victim prior to the 1989 events, which would make their resettlement impossible. He continued, saying that all those displaced could return to their native villages. Besides, the Mauritanian government representative categorically denied that the Black ethnic groups did not have the right to speak their languages. He reiterated his government's official position, that slavery had been abolished in Mauritania during French colonial days. 4