Earlier today (13 May), UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Michel Forst has held a press conference in Ulaanbaatar regarding his mission to Mongolia. He undertook the special assignment from 30 April to 13 May, during which time he visited the Airag and Ulaanbadrakh Soums of Dornogobi Province as well as working in the capital, Ulaanbaatar.

Mr. Michel Forst applauded Mongolia for maintaining freedom to hold opinions without interference. He noted that Mongolia is well-known as the leading country in East and Central Asia for democracy. However, some law amendments which have recently been approved by the Mongolian parliament have a double meaning which might lead to misinterpretations and human right violations. In addition, the replacement of the heads of the Mongolian Court and Independent Authority against Anti-Corruption might affect the autonomy of the judiciary.

Mr Forst will submit his conclusions on Mongolia’s human rights situation at the 43rd session of UN Commission on Human Rights which is to be held in March 2020.

Mongolia first sent invitations to UN human right commissioners and special rapporteurs to visit the country in 2004.