MP Kh. Temuujin, head of the working group set up to assess possible human rights violations during the July 1 incidents, has revealed that the second open hearing scheduled for April 14 will feature directors of law enforcement organizations such as police and prosecutors, as well as the citizens who were injured in the firing.

The most awaited testimony will be the one of MP Munkh-Orgil who was Minister for Internal Affairs at the time and directed the Emergency Force. The fact that MP Munkh-Orgil is a current member of the Human Rights Sub-Committee may raise some conflicts of interest.

The first open hearing on December 2 heard representatives from citizens and law enforcement organizations, but there was nobody from the prosecuting side and the use of fire arms could not be discussed as the official investigation was still on. Since then, some policemen have been cleared of charges and it has been decided that no charges would be laid against others.

Six applications on behalf of those killed and injured have been received seeking to give evidence. Two of those injured, Batzaya and Enkhtur, are being treated in South Korea and even though both are expected to return to Mongolia soon, neither of them may be in the condition to speak at the hearing which will be attended by the Secretary General of the National Security Council and other senior officials. A report of the proceedings will be presented to Parliament for discussion. The sub-committee on human rights may also consider discussing the issue of journalists injured during the event. The President of the Union of Journalists, D. Sarangerel, favours this as well as a discussion on whether the freedom of press was violated when all TV channels were forced off the air except for Mongolia National Broadcasting.

On July 1st, 2008 after the election, some statements were issued by officials about the preliminary results of the MNRP’s victory (Mongolian National Revolutionary Party). But people vehemently opposed those statements and a large citizens’ demonstration was organized on Ulaanbaatar’s Sukhbaatar square in protest of the Parliamentary Election’s results. The protests began peacefully, but soon led to unrest. By the evening, the demonstration turned into a riot, leading to the death of five people.

The government has taken the decision to compensate policemen and interior troops who were injured during the July 1st riots. All the victims’ families have been reported to have taken the compensation offered except for one, the father of E. Dorjsuren, who died that night.

Эх сурвалж Өдрийн шуудан

July 1st incident 2nd open hearing scheduled for April 14

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