Mauritania: Navigating Compliance Challenges in the Digital Age
A Climate of Fear: Online Surveillance and Censorship in Mauritania
In a region where online surveillance and censorship are prevalent, Mauritania’s human rights defenders and media workers face significant challenges in navigating the digital world. The country’s repressive laws and internet shutdowns have created a climate of fear, making it difficult for these groups to express themselves freely online.
Building Digital Expertise: A Partnership for Freedom of Expression
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is at the forefront of efforts to support Mauritanian media workers and human rights organizations in developing digital security skills. The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, a leading international cooperation enterprise, has partnered with the BMZ to implement this initiative.
Key Objectives:
- Empower human rights defenders and media workers to use the internet safely
- Promote online freedom of expression in Mauritania
Training and Capacity Building
To achieve these objectives, GIZ has trained 13 Mauritanian trainers in digital security, including Mouhamed Sarr, a human rights activist who supports an alliance of civil society organizations. These trainers now share their knowledge with their networks, promoting online safety practices such as:
- Running computer updates regularly
- Using protection software to fight online tracking
A Community of Practice: Exchanging Best Practices
The initiative has established a community of practice among the trainers, allowing them to exchange tips and best practices. This “Champions for Digital Security” program aims to equip Mauritanian human rights defenders and media workers with the skills they need to operate safely in the digital world.
Conclusion
While Mauritania’s compliance challenges are significant, this initiative demonstrates that even in the most restrictive environments, there is a willingness to adapt and learn. As the BMZ and GIZ continue their work, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will have a lasting impact on promoting freedom of expression online in Mauritania.