Yesterday (29^th March) an anti-nuclear energy environmental demonstration took place outside Government House – inside a debate had been scheduled by the Speaker on Mongolia joining several international conventions of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Because of poor attendance and requests from the government, the debate was postponed; nevertheless the demonstration went ahead.

Many civil campaigners and environmentalists participated – among them “Evlen Manduulah Khuch” demonstrating with banners sprinkled with yellow ochre representing “yellow cake” – as uranium concentrate powder is called when leaching processes are used. There is huge concern in Mongolia about the harm that leaching processes cause the environment.

As the protest continued, the Sukhbaatar District Police Authority arrested three. According to latest news, they have subsequently been released on bail. It has been reported that they include Ts.Buyanduuren of the “Bosoo Khukh Mongol” group, N.Ganbaatar, who is coordinator of the “National Disaster Prevention Center” and journalist Ch.Munkhbayar.

As we have reported, the draft legislation on the schedule for debate included the “Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and the Safety of Radioactive Management”.