Detention of Editor Continues as FOI Law Passed in Mongolia

Detention of Editor Continues as FOI Law Passed in Mongolia

June 22, 2011 - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins with its affiliate, the Confederation of Mongolian Journalists, in calling for the immediate release of Ulaanbaatar Times editor-in-chief Chuluunbaatar Dolgor, who has been held in custody since his arrest on March 24.

The call comes as the Parliament of Mongolia passed new freedom of information legislation, known as the Law on Information, Transparency, Right and Freedom to Access Information. The law, passed on June 16, will take effect on December 1.

The IFJ has written to President Elbegdorj Tsahia to protest the continuing detention of Chuluunbaatar, 51, who was arrested on charges of “illegal privatisation and serious damage of public property” for his alleged involvement in the privatisation of the newspaper and its offices in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, in 2008.

Chuluunbaatar, who is also Secretary-General of the Confederation of Mongolian Journalists, faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty. The journalist, who is held at Detention Centre No. 461 and has been denied bail on nine occasions, denies any wrongdoing.

“The IFJ is extremely concerned for the welfare of Chuluunbaatar Dolgor, who has serious health problems that require urgent medical assistance,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

“We call on all concerned people and organisations to join the campaign to see Chuluunbaatar freed on bail so that he can seek treatment and contest the charges.”

The IFJ urges individuals and organisations to join the global campaign to see Chuluunbaatar freed, by writing to President Elbegdorj Tsahia here and sending him a message via Twitter (@elbegdorj or use #freeChuluunbaatar).

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific

Find the IFJ on Facebook here

ENDS

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