Anti-slavery activist designated Man of the Year 2011 by Mauritanian daily - Birame Ould Dah Ould Abeid, President of the Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA), an anti-slavery and human rights group, has been named Mauritania's Man of the Year 2011 by the daily 'Emel Jedid',  PANA reported.

'This choice is dictated by several reasons related to the contribution of his fight for democracy and the respect of human rights, the impact of his action at the national and international levels both in the circles of decision and national and international media,' explained Hussein Ould Mohand, editorial director of the daily, in a statement made available to PANA.

'Biram Ould Dah Ould Abeid has dominated all the members of the political class and the different actors of the Mauritanian society. It is thanks to his fight that the government decided on a new law to regulate and protect home employment.

'He also...organized a caravan to pray on the graves of 28 black soldiers who were victims of  extra-judicial executions in November 1990, in the locality of Inal (North),' the editorial director wrote.

Reacting to the award, Ould Abeid, who has won many national and international honours, said he would remain committed to his fight and to reach new milestones in 2012.

Pana 04/01/2012