Ulaanbaatar
Assessment on the situation of human rights defenders under discussion
Society
Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) launched a two-day round table meeting on November 17 to present and discuss assessment report released on the situation of human rights defenders in Mongolia and given recommendations.
Member of Parliament of Mongolia D.Tsogtbaatar and First Deputy Director of ODIHR Ms. Katarzyna Gardapkhadze delivered opening remarks. Emphasizing the voice and contribution of human rights defenders play pivotal role in promoting human rights and freedom, the speakers highlighted the importance of creating legal environment that encourage their activites.
Some 50 delegates from the Parliament, relevant ministries, General Intelligence Agency, Prosecutor General’s Office, General Police Agency, National Human Rights Commission, civil society and international organizations that operate in Mongolia are attending the round-table meeting virtually.
On the first day of the meeting, the participants openly discussed the assessment and recommendations given by the ODIHR while exchanging views on concerning issues and further cooperation. Furthermore, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Ms. Mary Lawlor participated as a guest speaker, sharing her views.
Incidentally, in 2018, the ODIHR launched assessment of the situation of human rights defenders in OSCE member states. Within it, UN Special Rapporteur visited Mongolia on September 24-28, 2019 with purposes to define situation of human rights defenders in Mongolia, their achievements and challenges, give recommendations to the Government and seek cooperation possibilities. Moreover, the assessment report was released in November 2019.
