A HERDSMAN RELEASED FROM JAIL: SUCCESS OF JOINT EFFORT By HR ORGANIZATIONS

Mongolia www.owc.org.mn/libertycenter

This is an update for our earlier case called ¡°A herdsman has been repeatedly sentenced to death while the guilt was not proved¡±.
On September 25, 2002 the Supreme Court of Mongolia decided to release Mr.Erdene-Ochir, a herdsman from Zavhan province, permanently after his seven years of imprisonment. Mr and Mrs Munhtuul, Dorjgotov and Zandraa, the judges of the Supreme Court, found that Erdene-Ochir was not guilty in the suspected murder crime.
Erdene-Ochir¡¯s case was one of two cases on human rights abuses on which Mongolian Human Rights NGOs Forum- a coalition of human rights NGOs has decided to work jointly. Human Rights NGOs Forum is running its first year activity under the leadership of Mrs.Ichinnorov and her organization called Lawyers Center for Legal Reform Support since May 2002. Another case, which is called as Custom¡¯s Officer case has been resolved successfully earlier and Mr.Batsaihan, the customs officer has been nominated back to his position.
¡°After going out of prison, a young tall man Erdene-Ochir was immediately very caring for his father Choijiljav. He was caressing his father¡¯s hands for an hour while the father was crying without any words¡± says Mrs.Ichinnorov, the leader of HR NGOs Forum.
¡°I was very sure that I will be released some day if only the truth and law exist in Mongolia¡± was Erdene-Ochir¡¯s first word after freeing from prison.