The representatives of the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia (NHRCM) have worked in Bulgan aimag during 28-29th of October. This trip aimed to assess the prevalence of human rights violations in the region, identify gaps in the current efforts, evaluate government policies, and observe any progress firsthand. We aimed to meet with residents to hear their concerns, and to discuss future measures with local authorities.
The NHRCM analyzed in 2023-2024 on the state of human rights and freedoms as outlined in the 2020-2024 strategic programs, sub-programs, and policy documents of the governors of Mongolia's 21 provinces. Essentially, this analysis evaluated how each province is working to uphold human rights.
This time, an NHRCM delegation, led by Chairperson D.Sünjid, visited Bulgan aimag on October 28-29, 2024, to discuss human rights conditions across the Northern Region, which includes Khuvsgul, Bulgan, and Orkhon aimags.
Overview of Bulgan aimag:
Bulgan aimag has a population of over 60,000 people, with 16 soums, 1 town, and 75 bags. Approximately 74.5% of the population resides in rural areas. The region's economy primarily relies on agriculture.
In its review of the governor's 2020-2024 program, the NHRCM identified several key areas for improvement in Bulgan aimag:
- Soil Pollution and Waste Management: Efforts are needed to address soil pollution, waste management, and the issue of open-pit toilets.
- Hazardous Chemicals: Increased focus on managing toxic and hazardous chemicals to prevent risks to humans, animals, and the environment.
- Budget Allocations for Disability Rights: Securing funding from local budgets to support initiatives for the rights and protection of people with disabilities.
- Infrastructure Standards: Ensuring safe, standard-compliant facilities, especially in dormitories, including improvements to water supply and ensuring children’s rights to quality education.
- Crime Prevention: Utilizing modern technology and methods to reduce and prevent crime and other violations.
- Public Health Improvements: Reducing infectious diseases and enhancing the quality of healthcare services to improve community satisfaction.
- Rehabilitation Services for Disabled Persons: Establishing a center in the aimag dedicated to providing rehabilitation services for people with disabilities.
- These recommendations underscore the commitment to improving both human rights and overall quality of life in Bulgan aimag.
On the first day of the NHRCM visit, Chairperson D. Sünjid, Director of Research and Analysis S. Tungalagtamir, Director of Complaints and Inspections G. Uuganbaatar, and the Bulgan aimag representative D. Munkhsaikhan, along with other officials, met with D. Altanshagai, Head of the Governor’s Office, B. Odhuu, Head of Legal Affairs, and representatives from the police and judicial enforcement agencies. They discussed human rights implementation and existing challenges and inspected the facilities at the Police Department and the Judicial Enforcement Agency.
POLICE: DECLINE IN CRIME RATES IN BULGAN AIMAG
On the first day, Chairperson Sünjid’s team met with the Bulgan Police Department to discuss ongoing initiatives, including the camera surveillance campaign "Green Zone." They exchanged views on the challenges of mandatory behavior modification training for those arrested for domestic violence and prevention measures for child-related offenses. They also inspected the conditions of the holding and detention cells.
The detox center at the police department was deemed unsanitary by professional organizations, prompting officials to develop blueprints for a new facility. However, the necessary funds were not included in the 2025 national budget. The department’s head, Deputy Colonel G. Ganbayar, explained that the department used 6 million MNT from the provincial budget to conduct renovations, demonstrating a commitment to improving human rights protections.
As Bulgan aimag sits along Mongolia’s major east-west and north-south highways, it sees a high rate of violations involving intoxicated drivers. Fortunately, juvenile-related crime dropped by around 40% compared to the same period in 2023. The province currently operates 1,008 surveillance cameras, with 96 deployed by the police department, 76 of which are operational.
PAY MORE ATTENTION TO ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS
The NHRCM team also met with officials from the Judicial Enforcement Agency, who shared that as of October 2024, there were 10 detainees, with 5 serving sentences in service-related work. Enforcement of 244 child support payment orders amounting to 393 million MNT has so far recovered 43.8 million MNT, covering 27 cases. Additionally, 148 million MNT has been collected from 135 payers, achieving a 49% performance rate.
Officials noted the need to provide psychological counseling to first-time detainees due to their mental vulnerability. However, because the agency lacks a psychologist position, social workers currently fulfill this role. The NHRCM urged the agency to prioritize this issue, especially in cases involving minors, and to provide ongoing legal assistance while considering their physical and psychological well-being.
NEW PROTECTION FACILITY PRAISED, BUT CHILD ABUSE CASES REMAIN UNRESOLVED
The protection center in Bulgan aimag, funded by the Asian Development Bank and inaugurated in 2024, employs seven staff members, including a psychologist, teacher, security guard, and cook. According to Acting Director S. Oyunzaya, the center conducts risk assessments in every soum, providing immediate assistance to citizens and young children at risk.
There are currently 415 children at risk across the province, with domestic alcohol abuse often resulting in neglect, family violence, and sexual abuse cases. The NHRCM highlighted the need for stronger policies on child protection, urging relevant authorities to address delays in investigating and prosecuting sexual abuse cases. The NHRCM strongly advocates for prioritizing cases involving child victims to avoid repeated trauma.
CHEMICAL STORAGE ISSUE: CONTAMINATION IMPACTING CITIZENS' HEALTH
Later, the NHRCM visited the provincial veterinary and sanitation laboratory, which has been operational since 1959, conducting research and diagnostics on human and animal infectious diseases. The facility has suffered from a lack of funding for upgrades, and its deteriorating condition fails to meet safety standards.
The laboratory’s head, B. Enkhbold, reported that the facility stored various chemicals from 1970 until 2014, affecting the health of employees and contaminating the surrounding soil with pesticides. Testing conducted under a Czech Republic-funded project found that the soil around the laboratory is heavily contaminated. Although efforts were made in 2019 to fill and seal the affected storage room, pesticide odors persist. Officials estimate that soil remediation would cost 500 million MNT, but the budget remains unfunded.
THEY LISTENED TO CITIZENS ABOUT THEIR PROBLEM RELATED TO HUMAN RIGHT
On October 29, the NHRCM hosted the “Let’s Listen to Citizens” event, where government employees, NGOs, and citizen representatives expressed their concerns, including the need for better support for citizens with disabilities, enhanced feedback channels, action on human rights violations linked to mining activities, and stronger food safety standards. They also requested stricter enforcement against the sale of e-cigarettes to minors and highlighted the need for equitable pension reforms.
The NHRCM assured citizens that these issues would be conveyed to relevant authorities to promote action on the identified concerns.
The representatives of the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia (NHRCM) have worked in Bulgan aimag during 28-29th of October. This trip aimed to assess the prevalence of human rights violations in the region, identify gaps in the current efforts, evaluate government policies, and observe any progress firsthand. We aimed to meet with residents to hear their concerns, and to discuss future measures with local authorities.
The NHRCM analyzed in 2023-2024 on the state of human rights and freedoms as outlined in the 2020-2024 strategic programs, sub-programs, and policy documents of the governors of Mongolia's 21 provinces. Essentially, this analysis evaluated how each province is working to uphold human rights.
This time, an NHRCM delegation, led by Chairperson D.Sünjid, visited Bulgan aimag on October 28-29, 2024, to discuss human rights conditions across the Northern Region, which includes Khuvsgul, Bulgan, and Orkhon aimags.
Overview of Bulgan aimag:
Bulgan aimag has a population of over 60,000 people, with 16 soums, 1 town, and 75 bags. Approximately 74.5% of the population resides in rural areas. The region's economy primarily relies on agriculture.
In its review of the governor's 2020-2024 program, the NHRCM identified several key areas for improvement in Bulgan aimag:
- Soil Pollution and Waste Management: Efforts are needed to address soil pollution, waste management, and the issue of open-pit toilets.
- Hazardous Chemicals: Increased focus on managing toxic and hazardous chemicals to prevent risks to humans, animals, and the environment.
- Budget Allocations for Disability Rights: Securing funding from local budgets to support initiatives for the rights and protection of people with disabilities.
- Infrastructure Standards: Ensuring safe, standard-compliant facilities, especially in dormitories, including improvements to water supply and ensuring children’s rights to quality education.
- Crime Prevention: Utilizing modern technology and methods to reduce and prevent crime and other violations.
- Public Health Improvements: Reducing infectious diseases and enhancing the quality of healthcare services to improve community satisfaction.
- Rehabilitation Services for Disabled Persons: Establishing a center in the aimag dedicated to providing rehabilitation services for people with disabilities.
- These recommendations underscore the commitment to improving both human rights and overall quality of life in Bulgan aimag.
On the first day of the NHRCM visit, Chairperson D. Sünjid, Director of Research and Analysis S. Tungalagtamir, Director of Complaints and Inspections G. Uuganbaatar, and the Bulgan aimag representative D. Munkhsaikhan, along with other officials, met with D. Altanshagai, Head of the Governor’s Office, B. Odhuu, Head of Legal Affairs, and representatives from the police and judicial enforcement agencies. They discussed human rights implementation and existing challenges and inspected the facilities at the Police Department and the Judicial Enforcement Agency.
POLICE: DECLINE IN CRIME RATES IN BULGAN AIMAG
On the first day, Chairperson Sünjid’s team met with the Bulgan Police Department to discuss ongoing initiatives, including the camera surveillance campaign "Green Zone." They exchanged views on the challenges of mandatory behavior modification training for those arrested for domestic violence and prevention measures for child-related offenses. They also inspected the conditions of the holding and detention cells.
The detox center at the police department was deemed unsanitary by professional organizations, prompting officials to develop blueprints for a new facility. However, the necessary funds were not included in the 2025 national budget. The department’s head, Deputy Colonel G. Ganbayar, explained that the department used 6 million MNT from the provincial budget to conduct renovations, demonstrating a commitment to improving human rights protections.
As Bulgan aimag sits along Mongolia’s major east-west and north-south highways, it sees a high rate of violations involving intoxicated drivers. Fortunately, juvenile-related crime dropped by around 40% compared to the same period in 2023. The province currently operates 1,008 surveillance cameras, with 96 deployed by the police department, 76 of which are operational.
PAY MORE ATTENTION TO ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS
The NHRCM team also met with officials from the Judicial Enforcement Agency, who shared that as of October 2024, there were 10 detainees, with 5 serving sentences in service-related work. Enforcement of 244 child support payment orders amounting to 393 million MNT has so far recovered 43.8 million MNT, covering 27 cases. Additionally, 148 million MNT has been collected from 135 payers, achieving a 49% performance rate.
Officials noted the need to provide psychological counseling to first-time detainees due to their mental vulnerability. However, because the agency lacks a psychologist position, social workers currently fulfill this role. The NHRCM urged the agency to prioritize this issue, especially in cases involving minors, and to provide ongoing legal assistance while considering their physical and psychological well-being.
NEW PROTECTION FACILITY PRAISED, BUT CHILD ABUSE CASES REMAIN UNRESOLVED
The protection center in Bulgan aimag, funded by the Asian Development Bank and inaugurated in 2024, employs seven staff members, including a psychologist, teacher, security guard, and cook. According to Acting Director S. Oyunzaya, the center conducts risk assessments in every soum, providing immediate assistance to citizens and young children at risk.
There are currently 415 children at risk across the province, with domestic alcohol abuse often resulting in neglect, family violence, and sexual abuse cases. The NHRCM highlighted the need for stronger policies on child protection, urging relevant authorities to address delays in investigating and prosecuting sexual abuse cases. The NHRCM strongly advocates for prioritizing cases involving child victims to avoid repeated trauma.
CHEMICAL STORAGE ISSUE: CONTAMINATION IMPACTING CITIZENS' HEALTH
Later, the NHRCM visited the provincial veterinary and sanitation laboratory, which has been operational since 1959, conducting research and diagnostics on human and animal infectious diseases. The facility has suffered from a lack of funding for upgrades, and its deteriorating condition fails to meet safety standards.
The laboratory’s head, B. Enkhbold, reported that the facility stored various chemicals from 1970 until 2014, affecting the health of employees and contaminating the surrounding soil with pesticides. Testing conducted under a Czech Republic-funded project found that the soil around the laboratory is heavily contaminated. Although efforts were made in 2019 to fill and seal the affected storage room, pesticide odors persist. Officials estimate that soil remediation would cost 500 million MNT, but the budget remains unfunded.
THEY LISTENED TO CITIZENS ABOUT THEIR PROBLEM RELATED TO HUMAN RIGHT
On October 29, the NHRCM hosted the “Let’s Listen to Citizens” event, where government employees, NGOs, and citizen representatives expressed their concerns, including the need for better support for citizens with disabilities, enhanced feedback channels, action on human rights violations linked to mining activities, and stronger food safety standards. They also requested stricter enforcement against the sale of e-cigarettes to minors and highlighted the need for equitable pension reforms.
The NHRCM assured citizens that these issues would be conveyed to relevant authorities to promote action on the identified concerns.