DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT
Mongolia marked the 20th anniversary of the democratic movement on December 2009. The country has been praised as one of the world's youngest and vibrant democracies, and has made significant steps in terms of protecting and upholding human rights. This was evidenced by the first open public parliamentary hearing into the alleged human rights violations that took place in the wake of the 2008 parliamentary elections. Mongolian civil society saw the public hearing as an act of respect to human rights.
The 2009 presidential elections proved to be peaceful and saw victory for Opposition candidate Ts. Elbegdorj of the Democratic Party. Fears that the close election outcome would result in a political stalemate or a renewal of the civil unrest and violence seen in 2008 did not come to fruition. The new President and twice former Prime Minister outlined an ambitious agenda aimed at advancing national security and improving governance, human rights, economic development - in particular rural development - and environmental protection.
President Ts.Elbegdorj granted amnesty to more than 2000 prisoners under the new Amnesty Law which came into effect in July, including a number of those convicted in the wake of the July 1 riots in 2008. Amnesty was granted to first-time offenders and those convicted before they turned 18, women with young children, pregnant women, those who had lost more than 70 percent of their labour capacity, and women older than 55. The law excludes amnesty for murders, corruption cases and the misuse of government positions.