Information on the relationship between the Mauritius Militant Movement (MMM) and the Hizbullah since 1998 and whether members of the MMM are targeted by those of the Hizbullah could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, a 25 April 2001 Amnesty International report noted that,

In the letter to the government of Mauritius in December 2000, Amnesty international raised concerns about the alleged ill-treatment of Cehl Meeah, leader of the opposition Party of Good (Hizzbullah), as well as about the fact that he was initially held incommunicado and not given immediate access to legal assistance after his arrest. The organisation has not yet received any response to its letter from the authorities.

Various reports indicate that, since September 2000 elections, the Mauritius Militant Movement (MMM), in coalition with the Mauritian Socialist Movement (MSM), form the current government in Mauritius ((Europa 2001 2001, 2678; The PoliSci.com Apr. 2001; The Financial Times 18 Dec. 2000).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Amnesty International (AI). 25 April 2001. "Mauritius: amnesty International Calls for Independent Investigation of Torture Complaints" (AI Index AFR 39/001/2001). http://web.amnesty.org/ai.nsf/Index/AFR390012001 [Accessed 11 Dec. 2001]

The Europa World Year Book 2001. 2001. 42nd ed. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications.

The Financial Times [London]. 18 December 2000. Victor Mallet. "Mauritius: Unusual Alliance, But Will It Work?" The Arrangement Between the MSM and MMM Before the Recent Elections Has Seen the Return to Power of Arnerood Jugnault."

PoliSci.com. April 2001. The Political Reference Almanac. http://www.polisci.com/world/nation/MP.htm [Accessed 3 Jan. 2001]

Additional Sources Consulted

Africa Confidential 1998-2001.

Country Reports. 1999-2001.

Indian Ocean Newsletter [Paris]. 1998-2001.

IRB Databases.

LEXIS/NEXIS.

Resource Centre country file. Mauritius. 1998 to present.

Website, including:

Amnesty International.

L'Express [Port-Louis].

FIDH.

Human Rights Watch (HRW).

Le Mauricien [Port-Louis].