Berlin/Ulan Bator, 8 October 2015.
Transparency International, Transparency International Mongolia, and the UNCAC Coalition sign joint statement to prevent amnesty law
Transparency International, the global anti-corruption movement, its chapter Transparency International Mongolia and the UNCAC Coalition, an international umbrella group representing more than 300 civil society organisations, call on the parliament in Mongolia to reject a new law granting amnesty to those under investigation for corruption.
This new law would terminate 45 out of the 55 cases that the Independent Agency against Corruption in Mongolia (IAAC) is investigating and grant amnesty to the accused. The alleged crimes involve more than 32 billion Mongolian Tugrik (US$16.2 million).
In August the president of Mongolia vetoed a similar law following pressure from the public and Transparency International, but parliament introduced for debate a new version of the law on 1 October.
“This is a blatant attempt by politicians to grant themselves impunity. Anyone accused of corruption must be investigated. We assume the government of Mongolia is not willing to get in such an international scandal and will throw the law out immediately,” said José Ugaz, chair of Transparency International.
“Mongolia is a party to the UN Convention against Corruption and the UNCAC review process already raised serious questions about the Mongolian enforcement system. This new legislation, if adopted, would further undermine the rule of law in Mongolia,” said Manzoor Hasan, chair of the UNCAC Coalition.
At its annual meeting in September, the Transparency International movement resolved to press for reconciliation and amnesty laws of Tunisia and Mongolia that do not legalise impunity but adhere to strict and transparent criteria in accordance with International anti-corruption conventions.
Contact
Chris Sanders
Transparency International Berlin
+49 30 3438 20 666
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Batbayar Ochirbat
Transparency International Mongolia
+97670120012