CONFIDENTIAL
MAURITIUS
Report by British High Commission, Port Louis
General Observations
Mauritius has been an independent Commonwealth country for the past eight years. It is still run on traditional British colonial lines. At present Mauritius has a good human rights record.
Right No.
(i)
To our knowledge there is no imprisonment without trial at present. However, at the begin- ning of the state of emergency which was in force from 22 October 1971 until 16 September 1976, some members of the MMM party were detained for ten months without trial (but they appeared before a special tribu- nal). At the end of the ten month period they were released.
Comment by East African Dept On the basis that we should judge by current performance, we would give O under this heading.
Rating suggested by Post
3
(ii)
Torture is not used.
(iii)
Slavery does not exist.
(iv)
Censorship was in force during the period of emergency. applied very lightly.
It was
Comment by East African Dept On the basis that we should judge by current performance, we would give O under this heading.
(v)
The judiciary appears to be com- pletely independent.
о
(vi)
There are no known restrictions on trade unions.
0
(vii)
There are no restrictions on emi- gration.
о
CONFIDENTIAL
2
NO O
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.