8. The Committee notes with concern that homosexuality is considered to be a crime and is punishable by the death penalty, in violation of the provisions of the Covenant (arts. 2, 6, 17 and 26).

The Committee respects the cultural diversity and moral principles of all countries, but recalls that these always remain subordinate to the principles of the universality of human rights and non-discrimination (general comment No. 34 (2011) on freedom of opinion and freedom of expression, paragraph 32). Consequently, the State party should decriminalize homosexuality and take the necessary measures to protect the freedom and privacy of the person.

Link to full text of the report: Concluding Observations-CCPR-Mauritania-2013-eng