The U.S. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor has, in its recently released 2009 report on Mongolia, noted that the Government generally respected the human rights of its citizens. However, the report noted the following human rights problems: police abuse of prisoners and detainees; impunity; poor conditions in detention centers; arbitrary arrest, lengthy detention, and corruption within the judicial system; continued refusal by some provincial governments to register Christian churches; secrecy laws and a lack of transparency in government affairs; domestic violence against women; and trafficking in persons.

In contrast with 2008, there were no reports that the Government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings, nor was there any report of politically motivated disappearance. Despite a legal prohibition, the use of unnecessary force–particularly to obtain confessions–in the arrest process was common. Of the 30 complaints of torture received during the year from citizens against police officers, 27 were dismissed and three led to convictions. Mechanisms to investigate police abuses remained inadequate.

Arbitrary arrest and detention occurred but was less common than in previous years. General public awareness of basic rights and judicial procedures was limited, especially in rural areas. Corruption in law enforcement agencies was endemic. Bribery could contribute to the dismissal of a case or reduction of a recommended sentence. Trial procedures are often plagued by legal inconsistencies.

Government interference with licensing and indirect intimidation of the press, particularly broadcast media, was evident. Perceived self-censorship continued to be a problem. Both libel and “insult” were criminal charges. Many newspapers were affiliated with political parties, or owned (fully or partly) by individuals affiliated with political parties, and this affiliation strongly influenced the published reports. Underpaid reporters frequently demanded payment to cover or fabricate a story.

Government and parliamentary decision making was not transparent, and public legislative hearings were rare. Meetings of the standing committees of Parliament were not open to the press or the public. The far-reaching State Secrets Law inhibited freedom of information and government transparency while also undermining accountability. The law also hindered citizen participation in policy discussions and government oversight.

Prostitution is illegal, as is public solicitation for prostitution and organizing prostitution. Women”s activists claimed that in Ulaanbaatar there were hundreds of brothels posing as saunas, massage parlors, and hotels, and sex tourism from South Korea and Japan remained a problem. There were instances of teenage girls kidnapped, coerced, and deceived across the country and forced to work as prostitutes.

The country remained a source of internal and transnational trafficking of men, women, and children for forced labor and sexual exploitation. Most trafficking victims were taken to China, but destinations such as Kazakhstan, South Korea, Japan, Macau, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Turkey, and Switzerland were alleged or confirmed.

Some foreign businesspersons resident in the country complained that Government tax and licensing authorities subjected them to much greater scrutiny than domestic competitors. Other foreign entrepreneurs complained privately that they were disproportionately targeted for shakedowns by corrupt Government officials, including police. Furthermore, they were targeted with frivolous criminal law suits in the event of business disputes, forcing them to leave the country or undergo an onerous process of clearing their names.

The full report can be seen at the web page of the U.S. Embassy in Mongolia.