Mongolia: Concerns about parliamentarian facing charges, risks to LGBTQI+ defenders and recriminalisation of defamation

Civic space in Mongolia is rated as 'obstructed' by the CIVICUS Monitor. Ongoing concerns raised by civil society include reports of harassment, intimidation and reprisals against human rights defenders, especially those working to defend economic, social and cultural rights. Further, provisions of the Criminal Code related to ‘cooperation with foreign intelligence agencies’ and ‘sabotage’ have been used to prosecute human rights defenders for legitimate activities. There are also concerns about press freedom and the criminalisation of journalists.

In March 2026, Mongolia named its third prime minister - Uchral Nyam-Osor - in nine months as the ruling party tries to overcome internal power struggles at a time of mounting economic pressures and political infighting at home. Uchral was elected as leader of the Mongolian People’s Party and speaker of the parliament in November 2025. The 39-year-old lawmaker has positioned himself as a reform-minded leader focused on modernising the country’s regulatory environment.

Also in March 2026, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Mongolia was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council. Mongolia received 23 recommendations on civic space and supported 22 of them. It supported recommendations to protect human rights defenders and journalists, ensure that laws are not misused to restrict them and protect them from all acts of harassment and intimidation. It also supported the repeal of Article 13.14 of the Criminal Code on defamation and to ensure press freedom.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk visited Mongolia in May 2026. He acknowledged that Mongolia had passed the first law on human rights defenders in the region and said that an open civic space and a free media was crucial for the country’s development.

Also in May 2026, the UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Graeme Reid, visited Mongolia. He said that Mongolia has established important legal and institutional foundations to ensure full equality for LGBTQI+ persons. However, he expressed concern regarding persistent discrimination, instances of violence, barriers to access to justice, data gaps, and difficulties experienced by LGBTQI+ people in areas including health care, education, employment and interactions with law enforcement authorities.

In recent months, concerns have been raised about charges and online intimidation against a parliamentarian, risks faced by LGBTQI+ persons and the possible re-criminalisation of defamation. A news website was fined for using a photo of a public official. There continues to be discussions on a draft media freedom law, while a draft law was submitted to parliament to protect whistleblowers. Protesters blocked copper exports to China from a Rio Tinto mine.

Association

Parliamentarian facing charges and online intimidation

In March 2026, the former deputy speaker of the parliament, Bulgantuya Khürelbaatar, told the Guardian she was facing the threat of 12 to 20 years in jail after being charged with the criminal offence of “an organised effort to unlawfully seize or retain state power”.

She also says she has been banned from leaving the country and had restrictions placed on her movements inside Mongolia. The charges have been brought with the help of the country’s state intelligence agency.

She has already been forced to stand down as deputy speaker and been expelled from the ruling Mongolia People’s Party (MPP). According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Bulgantuya has also suffered ‘online intimidation initiated against her to discredit her, harm her image and foster the public’s hatred towards her, including by portraying her as guilty before the conclusion of the legal proceedings against her’.

The charge relates to Bulgantuya’s role as the chair of a vote in parliament in October 2025 in which a majority of MPs were declared to have voted for the former prime minister, Zandanshatar Gombojav, to stand down, only four months into the job.

The vote related to a dispute over changes to the mineral exporters’ tax regime, which opponents of the prime minister said would benefit wealthy exporters and lower state income.

The IPU stated that it was ‘deeply concerned about the disproportionate criminal proceedings initiated against Ms. Bulgantuya by the General Intelligence Agency on accusations of unlawful seizure of the State Great Hural for carrying out her duties as the official acting Speaker of the State Great Hural and chairing a parliamentary session aiming to discuss a motion submitted by another Member of Parliament to vote on the dismissal of the then Prime Minister.’

LGBTQI+ rights defenders face risks

According to the UN Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, Graeme Reid, LGBTQI+ rights defenders are subjected to harassment and surveillance when advocating on issues of violence against LGBTQI+ persons. These experiences have contributed to a high level of distrust in the police and a reluctance among LGBTQI+ persons to report incidents of violence, harassment, or discrimination.

Police also often violate the confidentiality of individuals seeking to lodge complaints by intentionally or inadvertently disclosing sensitive information regarding their sexual orientation or gender identity.

The UN expert found during his visit to Mongolia in May 2026 that violence against LGBTQI+ persons is reportedly enabled by a climate of effective impunity for such acts. LGBTQI+ persons and their advocates consistently reported negative interactions with police and security forces including instances of neglect, indifference, harassment and ridicule, as well as frustration with the limited awareness and understanding of issues relating to sexual orientation and gender identity among law enforcement officials.

Those who attempted to lodge complaints reported that their cases were often not taken seriously, dismissed outright, reclassified as less serious offences, or referred to the National Human Rights Commission rather than investigated as potential criminal acts.

Expression

Concerns around possible re-criminalisation of defamation

There are concerns that a parliamentary working group convened in April 2026 to draft the replacement for Article 13.14 of Mongolia's Criminal Code - the "false information" provision - could propose the re-criminalisation of defamation.

As previously documented, in a landmark decision, Mongolia’s Constitutional Court ruled on 25th November 2025 that Article 13.14 violated its constitution. The critical press freedom case followed multiple complaints filed between mid-2024 and March 2025 by five journalists and two citizens. Following hearings from 24th-25th November 2025, the Court determined to suspend the provision for breaching constitutional clauses related to the rule of law, guarantees for freedom of opinion, speech, and publication, the right to information and constitutional authority.

Article 13.14 was used to file investigations and claims against journalists and citizens who criticised authorities. Critics have observed that the provision was broad and failed to define the term ‘false information’ giving the state the power to file charges against journalists without making any efforts to verify the authenticity of the information being reported.

According to Globe International Centre, between 2020 and 2024, Mongolian authorities opened 2,260 cases under Article 13.14, resulting in just five convictions - a pattern that advocates said demonstrated its use as an intimidation tool rather than a legitimate legal safeguard.

News website fined for using photo of a public official

According to EU SEE, in June 2026, the news website Zuv.mn was reportedly fined 20 million MNT (USD 5,600) following a complaint by an official of a state-owned company over the use of his photograph in public-interest reporting in January 2026.

The decision prompted strong reactions from journalists, media organisations and civil society actors. The Mongolian Journalists Association submitted demands to the Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister and the National Human Rights Commission, warning that the sanction could undermine press freedom and the public’s right to information. Zuv.mn also publicly challenged the decision and requested clarification from the National Human Rights Commission on the legal basis for the sanction.

Forum discusses draft media freedom law

On 30th April 2026, ahead of the World Press Freedom Day, the National Freedom of Expression Network of Mongolia convened a multi-stakeholder discussion at the Press Institute’s Information Centre.

Organised with the support of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia and the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, the event brought together representatives of the media, civil society, legal community, public institutions and international partners to reflect on the role of press freedom in building peaceful, rights-based and democratic societies.

A key focus of the discussion was Mongolia’s ongoing draft Media Freedom Law. The draft had been submitted to parliament in 2025 to replace a weak and vague 1998 law. Participants emphasised the importance of ensuring that the draft law provides strong and effective protection for press freedom, editorial independence, journalists’ safety and the public’s right to know, in line with international standards. The discussion also addressed the obligation of public officials to provide timely and accurate information, and the need to strengthen legal and institutional safeguards for independent journalism.

Mongolia is ranked 85th out of 180 countries in the latest Reporters Without Borders (RSF) press freedom index. According to RSF, Mongolia broadly respects the principles of freedom and pluralism of the media, although it still lacks basic legal protection for the confidentiality of sources, while flawed defamation laws facilitate arbitrary lawsuits against journalists, inciting self-censorship.

Draft law submitted to parliament to protect whistleblowers

In March 2026, it was reported that the government had decided to submit to the State Great Khural a draft Law on the Protection of Whistleblowers.

The draft law introduces a comprehensive framework to protect and support individuals and legal entities who report information in the public interest. It provides that whistleblowers will be placed under protection from the moment they disclose information, with full legal guarantees ensured throughout all stages.

The bill strictly prohibits the disclosure of a whistleblower’s identity, personal data, or any information that could lead to their identification without consent. It also bans all forms of retaliation and discrimination, including dismissal, demotion, reduction of wages or benefits, and restrictions on professional activities. In cases where risks arise to the safety of whistleblowers or their family members and associates, special protective measures may be implemented.

In addition, the draft law establishes a clear and transparent incentive mechanism to support whistleblowers.

Peaceful Assembly

Protesters block copper exports to China from Rio Tinto mine

On 17th June 2026, it was reported that protesters had blocked copper exports from a huge Rio Tinto mine in Mongolia, partially cutting off the supply of a mineral vital to China’s renewable energy ambitions.

The protest group, called the Radical Reform Movement, is pushing for a greater share of mining revenue for Mongolians, a long-running demand in a nation where poverty persists despite the exploitation of its mineral riches. Copper is needed for electric vehicles and solar and wind power installations, all industries where China is a world leader.

Videos posted on Facebook by the Radical Reform Movement showed a small group of protesters milling around a barrier set up on a two-lane road running through a barren landscape on a bright sunny day. A white banner that said “Stop Rio Tinto” in red letters was draped on a large tree branch across the road in front of the tyre wall.

The Oyu Tolgoi mine is a massive undertaking to tap a vast reserve of copper deep in the Gobi Desert. About 80 kilometres north of the border with China, it also has large gold deposits and is expected to be the fourth largest copper mine in the world when fully operational, Rio Tinto has said. The British-Australian mining giant owns 66 percent of the mine, with the Mongolian government holding the other 34 percent.