By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
ULAN BATOR, Mongolia – An international human rights agency has accused Mongolia of impunity and injustice for ignoring reports of abuses after a post-election violence in July 2008.
Riots broke out in the streets of Ulan Bator when thousands of Mongolians demonstrated by burning cars and buildings against an alleged fraud in last year’s general election.
After the violence erupted, the spokesman for the General Election Committee, Purevdorjin Naranbat, rejected allegations of fraud saying, “The election was organized well and by the law. It was really fair.”
However, five people were killed and more than 200 were hurt during the riots. This was the worst violence Mongolia saw in two decades.
Amnesty International reported that the police shot at least nine people during the riots and hundreds more were forced into crowded detention centers where they went without food or water for up to three days. Some detainees were also reported to have been beaten by the police.
Roseann Rife, director for Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific program, said, “Investigations into allegations of human rights violations have been delayed, ignored or inadequately investigated.”
She added, “A year on from the riot and there is no accountability on the part of authorities and no justice for the victims.”
The rights group is accusing Mongolia of failing to comply with international obligations by not taking legislative, judicial and administrative measures to prevent human rights abuses, and the secrecy surrounding the police operation is leading to further mistrust and fear.
These sentiments will continue unless Mongolian government takes steps to implement reforms to protect human rights.
However, Munkh-Orgil Tsend, who was the Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs at the time of the riots, said, “Lack of food and facilities to hold rioters just shows that we all were not prepared for such a riot. It cannot be misinterpreted as human rights violation.”
Nevertheless, Amnesty International is urging the Mongolian government to investigate human rights violations promptly in a thorough and impartial manner.
Furthermore, the organization is asking that Mongolia review its regulations and policy to ensure that the police, when using force and policing demonstrators, comply with international human rights standards, including the UN Code of Conduct for LW Enforcement Officials.
For more information, please see:
Amnesty International – IMPUNITY AND INJUSTICE ARE LEGACY OF DEADLY JULY RIOTS IN MONGOLIA – 18 December 2009
AP – Rights group accuses Mongolia over 2008 rioting – 18 December 2009
BBC – Streets calm in riot-hit Mongolia – 3 July 2008
