Deadline: 26-Jul-2026
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is seeking partners in Mauritania to strengthen access to justice, legal protection, and asylum systems for refugees and asylum seekers. The initiative focuses on legal assistance, protection monitoring, birth registration, detention prevention, and rights-based services across refugee-hosting regions including Mbera camp, Hodh Chargui, Nouakchott, and Nouadhibou. It aims to improve legal access, reduce protection risks, and support national systems for fair and effective asylum procedures.
Overview of the UNHCR Legal Protection Initiative in Mauritania
The initiative by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees focuses on strengthening legal protection systems for refugees and asylum seekers in Mauritania during the 2027–2030 period. It responds to ongoing displacement, mixed migration flows, and institutional capacity constraints.
The programme strengthens:
- Access to justice and legal aid
- Asylum procedures and documentation systems
- Protection from detention and refoulement
- Legal awareness and rights information
- Coordination among protection actors
It is designed to ensure that displaced populations can access fair, timely, and rights-based legal services.
Context: Protection Challenges in Mauritania
Mauritania hosts over 300,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from Mali, living in:
- Mbera refugee camp (Hodh Chargui region)
- Rural settlements in eastern Mauritania
- Urban areas including Nouakchott and Nouadhibou
Despite a relatively stable national environment and inclusive policy frameworks, displaced populations face persistent challenges such as:
- Limited access to asylum procedures
- Weak civil registration and documentation systems
- Risk of arrest and detention
- Deportation and refoulement risks
- Restricted freedom of movement
- Limited access to legal aid and justice systems
- Barriers to claiming basic rights and services
These gaps increase vulnerability and reduce protection outcomes.
Key Focus Areas of the Programme
Access to Legal Assistance and Justice
The initiative strengthens legal support systems by providing:
- Legal advice and counseling services
- Legal representation for vulnerable individuals
- Referral systems for protection cases
- Survivor-centered and gender-sensitive legal approaches
- Support for access to courts and legal remedies
Asylum Access and Protection Systems
The programme improves asylum-related processes by:
- Supporting identification of persons needing international protection
- Strengthening asylum procedures
- Improving documentation and case handling systems
- Advocating for fair and efficient asylum systems
- Supporting national protection frameworks
Protection Monitoring and Case Management
A key component involves tracking and responding to protection risks:
- Monitoring arrests, detention, and deportation cases
- Identifying cases of refoulement risk
- Addressing gender-based violence (GBV) cases
- Supporting child protection interventions
- Managing trafficking-related protection cases
- Establishing alert and referral mechanisms
Birth Registration and Civil Documentation
The programme supports legal identity systems by:
- Promoting access to birth registration
- Reducing statelessness risks
- Supporting civil documentation processes
- Strengthening coordination with civil authorities
Legal identity is essential for access to education, healthcare, and justice.
Legal Awareness and Rights Information
Community outreach activities include:
- Rights awareness campaigns
- Mobile legal information services
- Community-based legal guidance
- Information dissemination on asylum rights
- Support for understanding available services
These activities help refugees and asylum seekers make informed decisions.
Capacity Building and Legal System Strengthening
The programme strengthens institutional capacity by:
- Training local authorities on refugee law
- Supporting civil society organizations
- Engaging legal professionals and bar associations
- Working with schools and universities on legal awareness
- Improving coordination among protection actors
Advocacy and Policy Support
The initiative contributes to system-level reform through:
- Advocacy for improved asylum procedures
- Support for adoption of asylum legislation in Mauritania
- Promotion of fair legal frameworks for refugees
- Strengthening policy dialogue with government institutions
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative is important because it addresses:
- Limited access to justice for displaced populations
- Risks of arbitrary detention and deportation
- Weak asylum and documentation systems
- Protection gaps for women, children, and vulnerable groups
- Lack of legal awareness among refugees
It strengthens both individual legal protection and national justice systems.
Expected Outcomes
If successfully implemented, the programme will deliver:
- Improved access to legal aid and representation
- Stronger asylum and protection procedures
- Reduced risks of detention and refoulement
- Increased birth registration and legal documentation
- Better awareness of rights among refugees
- Enhanced coordination among protection actors
- Progress toward national asylum law adoption
Implementation Approach
Step 1: Protection Needs Assessment
Identify vulnerable individuals and legal protection gaps.
Step 2: Legal Service Delivery
Provide legal advice, representation, and referral services.
Step 3: Monitoring and Reporting
Track protection incidents and produce situation reports.
Step 4: Community Outreach
Deliver awareness campaigns and mobile legal services.
Step 5: Capacity Building
Train authorities, legal professionals, and civil society actors.
Step 6: Advocacy and Policy Engagement
Support legal reform and asylum system strengthening.
Key Challenges Addressed
- Limited access to asylum procedures
- Risk of detention and deportation
- Weak civil registration systems
- Insufficient legal aid services
- Statelessness risks
- Barriers to justice and fair legal processes
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main goal of this programme?
To improve access to justice, legal protection, and asylum systems for refugees and asylum seekers in Mauritania.
Who is implementing the initiative?
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in partnership with legal actors, civil society, and government institutions.
Which areas are covered?
Mbera camp, Hodh Chargui region, Nouakchott, Nouadhibou, and other refugee-hosting areas.
What services are provided?
Legal assistance, protection monitoring, birth registration support, and rights awareness services.
How does it help refugees?
By improving access to justice, preventing detention risks, and ensuring legal identity and protection.
Does it support policy reform?
Yes, it supports advocacy for improved asylum procedures and adoption of asylum law in Mauritania.
Conclusion
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees legal protection initiative in Mauritania strengthens access to justice, asylum systems, and rights-based services for refugees and asylum seekers. By combining legal aid, protection monitoring, awareness, and policy advocacy, it ensures stronger protection outcomes and more inclusive legal systems for displaced populations.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.