constituteproject.org PDF generated: 17 Jan 2014, 16:43 Article 15 The right of property is guaranteed. The right of inheritance is guaranteed. The Waghf assets and foundations are recognized: their allocation [destination] is protected by the law. The law can limit the extent of the exercise of private property if the exigencies of economic and social development necessitate it. Expropriation can only proceed when public utility commands it and after a just and prior indemnity. The law establishes the juridical regime for expropriation. Article 16 The State and the society protect the family. Article 17 No one is supposed to ignore the law. Article 18 Every citizen has the duty of protecting and of safeguarding the independence of the country, its sovereignty and the integrity of its territory. Treason, espionage, joining [passage] the enemy as well as all the infractions committed with prejudice to the security of the State, are repressed [réprimés] with all the rigor of the law. Article 19 Every citizen must loyally fulfill his obligations towards the national collectivity and respect public property and private property. The citizens enjoy the same rights and the same duties vis-à-vis the Nation. They participate equally in the construction [edification] of the Fatherland and have right, under the same conditions, to sustainable development and to an environment balanced and respectful of health. Article 20 The citizens are equal concerning the taxes. Each must participate in the public charges as a function of their contributive capacity. No tax can be instituted except by virtue of a law. Article 21 Every alien who resides legally on the national territory enjoys, for his person and his assets, the protection of the law. Article 22 No one can be extradited except by virtue of the laws and conventions of extradition. Mauritania 1991 (rev. 2012) Page 5