Source: Ardiin Erkh                     Date: 22 April, 2011

Last week’s two-day National Forum on Judicial Reform and Justice, both avowed priorities of President Ts. Elbegdorj, was attended by around 1,000 delegates who discussed issues relating to independence of courts, civil and administrative court procedures, the way prosecutors’ organizations work, legal education, structure of courts, the role of police, selection of judges, protection of the rights of victims, enforcement of court rulings etc. There were speeches from various sections of society and panel discussions.

Among those who spoke were legal scholar Dr. B. Delgermaa; Mr. D.Naranchimeg, a member of the Constitutional Court; Mr. B.Lkhagvajav, Head of National Soyombo movement; Mr. D.Ganzorig, a lecturer at the Justice Institute of the National University of Mongolia; MPs; representatives of state organizations and NGOs, courts, prosecutors, international organizations, scholars and citizens.

Advisor to the National Security Council Ch.Unurbayar traced how the Constitutional principle safeguarding judges’ independence has been diluted by administrative and procedural decisions.

The head of the Free Union of the Elderly, Ms. G.Baasan, said reforms should have been initiated much earlier. She said honest lawyers are outnumbered and called for more judges to be appointed as the work load is too much for the 400 judges at present. Reforms should start with the primary courts, she said.