The last country to abolish slavery was the African state of Mauritania, where a 1981 presidential decree abolished the practice; however, no criminal laws were passed to enforce the ban.

Biram himself has spent his whole life campaigning - at great risk - against slavery in Mauritania, where it is still very much a live issue.

Biram himself has spent his whole life campaigning - at great risk - against slavery in Mauritania, where it is still very much a live issue.

Biram Dah Abeid was just 8 when he became aware of slavery in his home country of Mauritania. He saw a defenseless youth being beaten by a man—a common experience, his parents explained ...

Mauritania is an Islamic Republic dominated ... Although officially outlawed, slavery and voluntary servitude persists, with many former slaves continuing to work for their former masters.