Analysts Debate Mauritanian Anti-Slavery Proposal

http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-08-01-voa40.cfm?rss=human%20rights%20and%20law

The article talks about a proposed anti-slavery legislation that aims to make the practice of slavery punishable. The legislation has been criticized for not severe enough (10 years of imprisonment and fines for practicing slavery) and only something to show human rights organization. Hadouma, a former slave, shared her story of being a slave. She became a slave since her childhood, working for her master and his neighbors. Her parent were also slaves, and her four children (whose father, as she/ the article implied, might be her master) were taken away from her to become slaves. Basically, if she did not escape seven years ago, she would not have the chance to find her daughters right now, and their children will possibly be enslaved by their masters too. So is 10 years of imprisonment enough for not only enslaving someone for a big part of her life, but also the generations before and after her? NO! Also, the legislation will have no effect on people if it is not enforced, like the law passed in 1981 that bans the practice of slavery which has FAILED COMPLETELY to stop slavery. I see light in such legislation, but I hope that the government is serious about it, not just using it to silence human rights groups. I also hope that the legislation will be amended to make it more severe. No matter what, I do hope that the legislation will be passed because at least it is a form of action to combat slavery (despite its true intention), instead of constantly debating and talking but not taking actions!