Mongolia: Concerns over detainees’ rights and the protection of human rights defenders and LGBTQ+ persons
During the 81st Session of the Committee Against Torture (CAT) on Tuesday, 12th of November, and Wednesday, 13th of November 2024, the CAT reviewed the 3rd periodic report of Mongolia.
The country rapporteurs were Mr. Huawen Liu and Ms. Naoko Maeda.
The country delegation was led by Mr. N.Myagmar, State Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs of Mongolia.
Main issues discussed
The Committee praised Mongolia's commitment to abolishing the death penalty, highlighting its ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as a significant step toward international standards.
On detainee treatment, the Committee noted Mongolia's efforts to equip interrogation rooms with video and audio recording devices for transparency. However, it raised concerns about reports that recordings were deleted after 14 days instead of the required six-month retention period. Experts sought clarification on Mongolia’s plans to ensure universal access to this equipment nationwide.
The Committee also inquired about Mongolia’s extradition agreements, asking how the risk of torture is assessed in such cases and the legal right to appeal deportation or extradition orders.
The Committee expressed concern over harassment of human rights defenders (HRDs), particularly those opposing mining projects. It urged Mongolia to strengthen legal protections for HRDs and ensure freedoms of expression and association.
Additional concerns included the ill-treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals. The Committee called for stronger measures to address police violence, discrimination, and harmful practices such as conversion therapy, emphasizing the need for better medical and legal support.
Finally, the Committee commended Mongolia’s efforts to align its laws with international standards on human trafficking and victim protection. It encouraged the country to provide details on the implementation of these laws and the distribution of the increased human rights budget, particularly for vulnerable groups.
The CAT’s recommendations are available here.
Follow-up Recommendations
The CAT outlined specific recommendations for Mongolia, requesting the State party to provide information by 22 November 2024 on progress made in the following areas on the implementation of recommendations regarding:
- The adoption of a comprehensive definition of torture and the criminalisation of all acts of torture, including superiors’ liability, complicity and attempts of acts of torture.
- The guarantee of fundamental legal safeguards during the arrest and the first moments of detention and the recording of interrogations.
- The establishment of an independent mechanism to investigate acts of torture and ill-treatment committed by public officials.
Watch here (part one and part two) of the dialogue with the CAT.
Read our alternative report to the CAT (in English).
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