FORUM-ASIA, CIVICUS, and the Asia Democracy Network (ADN) have jointly submitted a report on Mongolia’s civic space to the 50th Session of the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group. The submission assesses Mongolia’s fulfilment of its international human rights obligations, especially concerning the rights to freedom of association, expression, peaceful assembly, and the protection of human rights defenders (HRDs). While Mongolia accepted all 10 civic space-related recommendations during its third UPR cycle in 2020, the joint submission raises serious concerns about partial or non-implementation of several key commitments.
The report highlights significant legal and practical restrictions affecting civil society organisations (CSOs) and HRDs in Mongolia. While the country has a vibrant civil society, the government has introduced draft laws on NGOs that raise alarm due to their inconsistency with international standards. Civil society actors have criticised the lack of consultation in drafting these laws and flagged burdensome registration procedures, overbroad restrictions on permissible activities, and arbitrary powers granted to regulatory bodies. Additionally, marginalised groups, including feminist and LGBTQI+ organisations, face particular difficulties in registration and operation.
Despite the 2021 passage of a law recognising and protecting HRDs, the report notes continued harassment, criminalisation, and smear campaigns against activists and journalists. Some provisions in the HRD law are vague and open to misuse, potentially undermining the very protections the law intends to provide. Furthermore, recent proposals to regulate online spaces and suppress protests signal a worsening environment for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. As a result, the CIVICUS Monitor downgraded Mongolia’s civic space rating from “narrowed” to “obstructed” in December 2024, reflecting the regression in human rights protections since the last review.
Read the full UPR submission here
The post [Submission] Mongolia: Joint Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review 50th Session of the UPR Working Group first appeared on FORUM-ASIA.