Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Mongolia (Ratification: 2005)

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Article 1(a) of the Convention. Imposition of penal sanctions involving compulsory labour as a punishment for expressing political views or views ideologically opposed to the established political, social or economic system. The Committee previously requested information on the application in practice of section 14.8.1 of the Criminal Code of 2015, which provides for penalties of fines or community service for the offences related to defamation of political parties and candidates participating in the election.

The Committee notes the Government’s information in its report that according to the Judicial General Council, from 2018 to 2020, no cases on spreading disinformation during elections were brought before the courts. However, according to the Prosecutor’s General Office, 11 cases of spreading disinformation during elections were registered and investigated, of which nine were closed and two cases were resolved. The Government also indicates that no cases under section 14.8.1 were registered as of April 2021. The Committee requests the Government to: (i) indicate if any sanctions were imposed for the cases indicated as resolved by the Prosecutors office and if so, the nature of the sanctions; (ii) continue to provide information on the application of section 14.8.1 in practice; and (iii) provide information on the provisions of the legislation concerning spreading false information and defamation offences.