Human rights in Mongolia

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Mongolia
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The situation of human rights in Mongolia has been criticized by various sources, including other nations - particularly Western democracies - as well as international organizations, as being poor in many respects. While acknowledging major deficiencies, the Mongolian government has asserted that the human rights situation is improving and better than ever. In addition, Mongolia argues that the notion of human rights should include economic standards of living and measures of health and economic prosperity. Many contentious events have been seen as abuses by groups or nations outside Mongolia, while the Mongolian government tends to view them as necessary for public safety and social stability.

Multiple sources, including the U.S. State Department's annual Mongolian human rights reports, as well as studies from other groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have noted Mongolia's well-documented abuses of human rights in violation of internationally recognized norms.

[edit] Political system

See also Politics of Mongolia

The Mongolian political system has been criticized as being arbitrary, corrupt and generally incapable of providing safeguards for basic freedoms. Political opponents of the government suffered human rights violations, including arbitrary detention and ill-treatment. Torture was common in police stations, detention centres and allegations of torture and ill-treatment were rarely investigated adequately. Conditions in detention continued to improve, but serious inadequacies persisted.

The Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party (called "Communist party"), which governed from 1921 until 1996 and returned to government in 2000, remained in power. Amnesty International recently released the following statement: "Human rights violations against political opponents were reported, including during attempts to solve the 1998 assassination of Zorig Sanjasuuren, leader and co-founder of the opposition National Democratic Party, who helped to bring about the transition to democracy in Mongolia in 1989.

In May, Enkhbat Damiran, a Mongolian citizen resident in France, was allegedly detained by the Mongolian General Intelligence Agency (GIA) in Le Havre, France. He was reportedly beaten and drugged before being forcibly returned to Mongolia. The GIA suspected him of involvement in the assassination of Zorig Sanjasuuren, but he was not charged and no evidence against him was made public. In November the State General Prosecutor stated that his office had not seen any evidence pointing to a suspect in Zorig Sanjasuuren’s murder. Enkhbat Damiran was reportedly taken in May to Abdarabt Prison to serve a previous sentence for assault. He had been released on parole while serving this sentence in 1998 because of poor health. Enkhbat Damiran’s health deteriorated after his return to Mongolia. He suffered severe trauma to his liver and pancreas, and was reportedly denied the necessary hospital treatment. He died on 22 April 2006 in Ulan Bator at the age of 45, after having again been released on 17 April 2006 on the grounds of his poor health.
Lamjav Gundalai, a member of parliament for the opposition Democratic Coalition and vocal opponent of the government, was detained by plainclothes police officers as he attempted to leave the country to attend a regional conference on democracy in Singapore. Witnesses said the police showed no arrest warrants or identity cards. A videotape of the incident allegedly showed Lamjav Gundalai’s driver, who was also arrested, being choked, and his assistant being beaten. Lanjar Gundalai was released the next day without charge. No further information was available about the driver.

[edit] Freedom of speech and political freedom

(See also: Media in Mongolia)

Widespread censorship is used in Mongolia. There is heavy government involvement in the media, with many of the largest media organizations being run by the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party. Violations of freedom of expression, including lack of access to the media, and freedom of assembly are endemic. Other serious and persistent human rights problems include political murder and abuse of Democratic Party leaders and opposition politicians, land confiscations, arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, bonded and forced child labor, trafficking in women and children, discrimination and domestic violence against women, and abuse of children.

In its 2004 report on Mongolia, Human Rights Watch stated that "Authorities continue to ban or disperse most public demonstrations. Politicians and journalists critical of the government face violence and intimidation and are barred from equal access to the broadcast media. In addition, the judiciary remains weak and subject to political influence. Trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation through networks protected or backed by police or government officials is rampant. The government continues to turn a blind eye to fraudulent confiscation of farmers’ land, illegal logging, and widespread plundering of natural resources." Also, Human Rights Watch recently released the following statement: Politician's, particularly those speaking on abuse of power or corruption and democracy, were at risk of investigation by the police on charges of their political opinions.

June, 2005: Batzandan Jalbasuren, the head of the Just Society Civic Movement was detained for 41 days in a pre-trial detention centre. He was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment by a district court for organising the demonstrations against the Government. In addition, Enkhbayar Davaa, the coordinator of the Just Society Civic Movement, is wanted by the police because of the organising of demonstrations. Also, Enkhbayar Davaa acted as lawyer for General J. Baatar (former head of the General Intelligence Agency), who’s alleged disclosure of top state secrets in 2003. The hearing took place in the Gantshudag prison detention centre and J. Baatar was sentenced to seven years imprisonment in a closed unfair trial.
May, 2006: Eagle TV reporters Batdorj, Bayanbat, and News Director Orgil were roughed up by police when they tried to video tape the teardown for the morning news. According to the TV station's Managing Director, tne police officer repeatedly smashed his fist into the camera, causing damage significant enough that it no longer works properly and will have to be sent for repair. (http://terrycom.net/blog/article.php?story=20060507233150708)