Following Mongolia’s break from the Soviet Union in 1990, the country transitioned to a free market democracy. Within a year of this transition the country’s parliament signed and ratified numerous human rights treaties including the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). These treaties and others laid the foundation for the drafting of their national constitution in 1992. Among Mongolia’s other unique qualities is its constitution – the preamble of which explicitly names human rights as one of the government’s top priorities: “We, the people of Mongolia…cherishing human rights and freedoms…hereby proclaim the constitution of Mongolia…” From there, three articles specifically enumerate human rights protections related to various treaties to which the country has committed itself. To date, Mongolia has ratified 29 international human rights treaties. The United States of America, by comparison, has ratified only six. A Human Rights Commission that operates independently from the government and is in full compliance with United Nations' standards monitors the implementation of these treaties. This commission annually holds a “human rights open day” to promote implementation standards, raise awareness about human rights, train public officials and receive complaints from citizens.
Although Mongolia has laid a foundation for the development of a truly free and functioning democracy, the country is certainly not without its problems – however, where Mongolia has succeeded and continues to progress are equally as important. As the films below reveal human rights issues realted to freedom of assembly (Article 20 UDHR), the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and freedom of information (Article 19 UDHR) are being widely discussed within Mongolia as it continues its transformation.
The first film, “Policing in Mongolia”, outlines an area in which Mongolia is perhaps most threatened. According to a recent public opinion poll, 49% of Mongolians believe the Judiciary to be “corrupt” and to hold nearly the lowest level of public trust. During our conversations with activists and Mongolian citizens we found that the police were frequently referenced as a dangerous and threatening force. In 2008, this tension came to a head following the parliamentary elections in a rebellion known as “July 1”.
(Music by: Quiza, "Zuud"; Tenuun Ft. Quiza, "1 Sariin 7")
Although the July 1 rebellion ended with murders and mass arrests, the spirit of protest in the country was not derailed. On the contrary, protest and demonstrations have only increased. Fortunately, the July 1 incident also brought to the forefront a weakness in Mongolia’s government and mass trainings have since been ordered for police. Policing continues to be an issue, but since the rebellion of July 1 there has not been an incident as tragic and unjust.
One of the most active organizing bodies in Ulaanbaatar (the Capitol City of Mongolia) is the Trade Union (CMTU). As the film below summarizes, this body is committed to protecting working people and their families. What was most inspiring about witnessing these demonstrations during our time in Ulaanbaatar was the fact that not only were the people protesting (mind you outside in -10 degree weather), but the government was listening.
(Muisc by: Live performance by Toto, recorded)
The CMTU is one of the most active organizations - in part because economic issues are of increasing importance to the people of Mongolia. Since the fall of the Soviet Union the number of families living in poverty has increased dramatically. The social safety net, although still larger in Mongolia than elsewhere (with 20% of the budget going toward health, education and the protection of children) is still far below what existed during the time of Soviet influence. Graduation rates have plummeted and currently (with nearly half of the population being under the age of 18) nearly a third of these youth are living with families who survive on less than $0.68 a day. Additionally, Mongolia’s mass underground sewer system (because of extreme winter weather - with lows often reaching - 50) is A home to an estimated 1000 homeless youth on a daily basis. This rise in poverty has coincided with a rise in juvenile crime. Although Mongolia is facing a crisis of poverty and is able to provide few opportunities for its youth, it has - by no means, given up on its children. In comparison to the United States which annually transfers 200,000 youth to the adult criminal justice system, Mongolia transfers none.
(Muisc by: Live performance by Toto, recorded)
While, Mongolia’s prison system in no way ideal and is in the middle of large-scale transformation to truly meet the standards of the human rights treaties they have ratified, the Government has opened itself to the influence of many Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs). This spirit of transformation is also fueled by the development of a public library system and gradual movement toward a more open and honest public information system. Though we in the United States often discuss public libraries as “obsolete” and fewer and fewer of us possess a library card, those working to develop a public library system in Mongolia remind us what many of our United States citizens and leaders have adamantly declared in the past:
Libraries are…essential to the functioning of a democratic society…libraries are the greatest symbol of the freedom of the mind.
– Franklin D. Roosevelt.
(Muisc by: Live performance by Toto, recorded)
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