The meeting of the Human Rights Subcommittee, a part of the Legal Standing Committee, commenced today (October 29, 2024) with 60% of its members present. During the meeting, the subcommittee discussed and approved the resolution to establish a working group tasked with developing the “2024-2025 Action Plan of the Human Rights Subcommittee.”

The chair of the subcommittee, S. Erdenebold, presented the project, noting that the action plan was developed based on consultations with previous chairs, reviews of archival documents, and meetings with members of the National Human Rights Commission and other organizational leaders. The plan includes activities such as visiting the operations of the 461st closed detention facility to assess compliance with human rights and freedoms, understanding the functions of each member of the National Human Rights Commission, and conducting analyses of how the policies and actions of the State Great Hural and its Secretariat align with human rights principles. The plan outlines 16 objectives, which include monitoring and evaluating child protection laws, investigating cases of individuals wrongfully accused and subsequently exonerated, and assessing the human rights situation of Mongolian citizens living abroad.

During the presentation of the project, MPs B. Bat-Erdene, O. Nominchimeg, and D. Tsogtbaatar raised questions and provided input. MP B. Bat-Erdene elaborated on the need to address issues related to the right to work and the protection of personal data in the digital environment. MP O. Nominchimeg emphasized the importance of studying the conditions surrounding the 18 fundamental rights guaranteed to Mongolian citizens under Article 16 of the Constitution and identifying existing challenges. Additionally, she mentioned that the State Great Hural has conducted two evaluations related to human rights and gender issues in accordance with methodologies developed by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). She suggested creating a mechanism for summarizing recommendations from international organizations regarding human rights in Mongolia and sharing this information with lawmakers and policymakers.

Chair S. Erdenebold explained that the working group has aligned the action plan with the “people-centered” principles outlined in the State Great Hural’s 2024-2028 strategic plan. He also noted that MP O. Nominchimeg has been elected as a member of the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, making her the first Mongolian parliamentarian to serve in this capacity.

 MP D. Tsogtbaatar highlighted the importance of emphasizing the independence of the National Human Rights Commission as a key component when implementing activities to familiarize themselves with the work of each member of the Commission. He also expressed the need to develop legislation that holds accountable officials who wrongfully harm citizens.

After members expressed their views and suggestions regarding the discussed issues, a vote was held on the resolution to establish a working group to develop the “2024-2025 Action Plan of the Human Rights Subcommittee,” and the majority of members supported the motion.