A major plank of Ts.Elbegdorj’s campaign platform was his
pledge for judicial reform. How much has been achieved since he assumed the
presidency?

People have noted that today no one, not even the
President, talks about it much. They are surprised as they really thought
something was going to be done about changing the way the police and the courts
worked, that one will not have to wait for two years to know the result of a
case, and a mother will not have to leave her infant child behind as she is
sent to prison.

The media cannot publish the hundreds of grievances
people nurture. The President sent his suggestions for reform to Parliament about
a year ago and nothing further has been heard of them. There has been no
explanation why these have not been discussed until today. Parliament is
focused on the election, and cares little for the President’s priorities. The
people watch with disbelief how helpless the President is in the face of such
parliamentary apathy to basic reforms.

One justification for the coalition government was that
it would lead to faster decisions. In practice, how many basic issues has this
Parliament taken up? With the next election drawing near, the overwhelming
concern of the parties in Parliament is to see that their promises at the last
election seem to be fulfilled. Fortunately the Oyutolgoi agreement will
generate the funds to meet the promises.

Meanwhile, things that cost the state little or no money
are made to wait. The courts are still not independent and sentences are passed
often on extra-judicial considerations.  Arranging
for an independent justice system will need 2% of the unified state budget.

Hopes were raised when D.Dorligjav was appointed Prosecutor
General in place of a man who had spent his years in the job keeping mostly
silent about things. When he was Chief of the President’s Office, Dorligjav
used to talk about changing procedures at the Supreme Court and at the State
Investigation Office, and also about giving  prosecutors 24 hours to justify an arrest, but
nothing has been achieved. There is also no official information on the status
of cases against such people as MPs O.Chuluunbat and L.Gundalai. The issue of
the Anti-Corruption Authority Chief, Ch.Sangaragchaa, of course, takes the
cake.