On 28 October 2008, Arab Media Watch chairman Sharif Hikmat Nashashibi wrote to the Times letters editor and Jonathan Clayton regarding an article by him referring to slavery in Mauritania.

Dear Sir / Madam,
 
It is inaccurate and unfair of Jonathan Clayton to claim that Mauritania has "consistently refused to take strong measures to eradicate slavery" despite international criticism (Free at last: female slave who dared to take Niger to court - 28 October 2008). The government there banned slavery in 1905, 1981 and 2007.
 
Last year, parliament passed such legislation unanimously, making the practice of slavery punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and those promoting or being apologists for slavery facing two years in jail. "We are very happy that the National Assembly has passed this law," said Boubacar Ould Messaoud, leader of the Mauritanian anti-slavery group SOS Slavery. "We now have legislation which not only defends slaves, but punishes the practice of slavery. It is an important change."
 
That the practice continues is more likely due to a lack of resources in a very poor country, rather than a lack of will from the authorities.
 
Yours sincerely,
 
Sharif Hikmat Nashashibi
Chairman
Arab Media Watch