Mongolian President Urges Global Support For Anti- Corruption Efforts

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Mongolian President Urges Global Support For

Anti- Corruption Efforts

PR Newswire

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia, June 8, 2012

- Trial of former president helps move democracy forward with

transparency and rule of law

ULAANBAATAR,

Mongolia

,

June 8, 2012

/PRNewswire/ -- From the Office of the

President of

Mongolia

: Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj today called on

the United Nations, European Union,

United States

and its other global allies to

support

Mongolia

's efforts to clamp down on public corruption. Earlier this

spring, following widespread public reports of misdeeds,

Mongolia

's

Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC) called for the arrest of former

Mongolian president Nambaryn Enkhbayar after the former official refused to

receive subpoenas which detailed numerous corruption-related violations of the

Mongolian Criminal Code.

Since the IAAC's first subpoenas were issued to Mr. Enkhbayar over one year

ago, in May of 2011, the IAAC initiated 27 separate investigations, ranging from

embezzlement to extortion and bribery; of these ongoing investigations, the

IAAC has initially charged Mr. Enkhbayar with five offenses. President Elbegdorj

urges the country's democratic allies to recognize the need for due process of

law in

Mongolia

while an open judicial process moves forward on the charges.

Since his

April 13th

arrest, Mr. Enkhbayar has had unfettered access to legal

counsel as well as both domestic and international news media. He has been

treated with respect and accorded his full human rights and protections

afforded to any criminal defendant under

Mongolia

's Constitution. Now out on

bail, Mr. Enkhbayar's trial is set to begin on

June 12

.

The independent General Election Commission of

Mongolia

(GEC) ruled on

June

6

, after an 8-1 vote, that Mr. Enkhbayar was ineligible to run for a seat in

Parliament due to the pending criminal allegations against him. The GEC is an

autonomous body with a head appointed and members approved by the

Parliament.

Much of the international coverage of this case has been wildly inaccurate,

distorted by a sophisticated public relations campaign on Mr. Enkhbayar's

behalf. In fact, Mr. Enkhbayar has been treated with great respect and personal

dignity. To counter erroneous reporting of the facts relating to the

investigation, arrest, and charges against him by Mr. Enkhbayar and his

supporters, Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj today issued the following

statement:

"My first decree as the President of

Mongolia

was to call for promoting and

enhancing civic education to affirm democracy, freedom and human rights as

fundamental values of the Mongolian people. I have also acted to effectively

end

Mongolia

's use of the death penalty, and late last year our government was

recognized by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for our civil rights

commitments. This spring marked the 25th anniversary of open Mongolia-U.S.

relations and a shared belief in a commitment to the rule of law, governing

transparency, and the sanctity of human rights. As with the support that our

American allies have provided

Mongolia

in deepening the roots of democracy, it

is our hope that the U.S. as well as our European allies will acknowledge and

support

Mongolia

's work to end the scourge of corruption that otherwise will

hinder the progress of our democratic system."

"

Mongolia

's growth into a mature democracy requires continued work to

eliminate the scourge of corruption that plagues too many of the world's

developing countries. Mr. Enkhbayar's case is one of nearly 20 high profile

corruption cases. Freedom and corruption cannot co-exist together. And

freedom, human rights, rule of law are non-negotiable, as is the fight against

corruption. The law should apply equally with no preferential treatment for

anyone. It is a core principle of democracy that no one is above the law, and

that includes everyone from high government officials to ordinary citizens," said

President Elgebdorj.

"I urge citizens of democratic nations around the world to follow the trial

carefully, consider the facts as they are presented, and avoid rushing to

judgment until the evidence against Mr. Enkhbayar has been publicly laid out in

a court of law. As Mongolia continues her progression into a modern,

democratic society, we will need the support of our allies and the democratic

world. It is crucial that

Mongolia

's allies pay close attention to the facts revealed

during the trial of Mr. Enkhbayar."

"On

June 28

, Mongolians throughout the country will exercise their democratic

rights to cast their ballots for their choice to represent them in parliament. We

invite the world to witness our unyielding commitment to democracy, human

rights, and the rule of law by coming to

Mongolia

to enjoy unrestricted access

to observe our electoral process."

"Whether Mongolia shall prevail as a free, open beacon of human rights, or

whether she shall fall into injustice and corruption is an issue of pivotal

significance at this juncture of

Mongolia

's development," concluded President

Elbegdorj.

Mongolia

's anti-corruption entity, the Independent Authority Against Corruption

(IAAC), was established in 2006 during the presidency of Mr. Enkhbayar, and is

headed by a former police officer. Today, the IAAC stands to ensure

transparency and accountability in government, and advance the goals of the

U.N. Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). The Authority has a chairman and

deputy appointed by the Parliament, which is controlled by the Mongolian

People's Party (MPP), which Mr. Enkhbayar previously led.