Ulaanbaatar, July 25, 2023 /MONTSAME/.  The Mongolia- European Union Sixth Human Rights Dialogue was held virtually on 18 July. The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Navchaa Tseveen, Head of the Human Rights Division, Department of International Law and Treaty, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia and Ms. Nicoletta Pusterla, Deputy Head of Division for China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Mongolia at the European External Action Service, and attended by the representatives of Minister of Justice and Home Affairs and Minister for Labour and Social Protection of Mongolia.

The Mongolia and EU discussed a broad range of human rights related issues in an open and constructive atmosphere. The EU underlined the importance of preserving the rules-based international order, multilateralism, respect for international law and principles of the UN Charter. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the universality and indivisibility of human rights and the full implementation of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, including further strengthening cooperation on human rights and the rule of law.

The EU informed about relevant recent developments in Europe, such as the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, the Rule of Law Mechanism and the Anti-Corruption package adopted in May 2023.

Mongolia and the EU discussed the implementation of the recommendations accepted by Mongolia during its United Nations Universal Periodic Review. The EU encouraged Mongolia to continue making progress, inter alia, on the removal of any reference to the death penalty in the constitution, and on combating any discrimination based on any ground. In this context, the EU and Mongolia also exchanged on the follow up of the Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The EU highlighted in particular the need to adopt comprehensive legislation prohibiting discrimination, including multiple, direct, and indirect discrimination on all grounds prohibited under international law.

Mongolia and the EU discussed the follow up of the Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The EU stressed the importance of a safe and enabling space for civil society and human rights defenders. The EU referred to Mongolia’s law on the protection of human rights defenders as a very positive example in the region, and encouraged Mongolia to enforce this law to protect human rights defenders and promote their work.

The EU and Mongolia also exchanged on the work being undertaken in strengthening the judicial system and ensuring its independence. The EU welcomed the judicial reforms in Mongolia and presented its activities in the field of support to the judiciary.

The EU welcomed the adoption of the revised law on the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia (NHRCM) and stressed the need to strengthen its independence and effective capacity.

The EU congratulated Mongolia on the launching of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights and reiterated its support to its implementation in the framework of the project Business and Human Rights in Asia, in line with the EU’s commitment to actively promote the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).

The EU recalled the importance of fulfilling GSP+ related commitments and provided an update on the revision of the GSP+ regulation.

Mongolia and the EU discussed cooperation in international human rights fora, including the UN General Assembly. They agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the framework of the Alliance for Torture-Free Trade.