9th Session of the Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review
Statement by Australia
Statement on Mongolia
by Ms Sally Dawkins
2 November 2010
Australia welcomes the delegation from Mongolia and appreciates its engagement in the Universal Periodic Review Process. 2010 marks the twentieth anniversary of Mongolia’s first democratic parliamentary elections, and only eighteen years since the enactment of Mongolia’s Constitution. Australia applauds the progress that Mongolia has made during this transition to a robust democracy with significant protection for human rights.
Australia commends the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia in 2000 and congratulates the Commission on its “A” accreditation. Australia encourages Mongolia to continue to raise awareness of the Commission’s work, and to increase its accessibility to disadvantaged and remote communities.
Australia particularly welcomes President Elbegdorj’s announcement in January 2010 of a moratorium on the death penalty. Australia urges Mongolia to build on this important step and to legislate abolition.
Australia encourages Mongolia to take all necessary measures to work towards ending human trafficking.
Australia recommends that Mongolia:
1. Finalise and submit its outstanding treaty body periodic reports as a matter of priority.
2. Continue to ratify relevant international instruments, including the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, aimed at abolishing the death penalty, and take the necessary steps to remove the death penalty from Mongolia’s justice system.
3. Strengthen domestic legislation to protect victims and witnesses of human trafficking.