Mongolia: UN human rights expert visits to examine financial and economic issues

Mongolian version

GENEVA (29 August 2019) – The UN Independent Expert on foreign debt and human rights, Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky, will conduct an official visit to Mongolia from 2 to 11 September 2019, at the invitation of the Government.

“The purpose of the mission is to identify good practices, challenges and potential gaps through the collection of firsthand information and examination on a range of economic, financial and fiscal issues from a human rights perspective,” the expert said.

“I will examine measures and policies aimed at ensuring debt sustainability and inclusive economic growth, including by the development of a range of economic sectors – from foreign direct investments to extractive and infrastructure projects.”

Bohoslavsky said he was particularly interested in Mongolia’s economic and fiscal reforms, following the presentation of the Guiding principles on human rights impact assessment of economic reforms to the Human Rights Council earlier this year.

“I will also be paying particular attention to efforts deployed by the Government to combat and prevent illicit financial flows and to the integration of human rights standards in international development financing.

“I look forward to engaging with Government authorities, civil society, academic experts, the private sector and the international community,” the Independent Expert said.

At the end of his visit, Bohoslavsky will hold a press conference to present his preliminary findings and conclusions. It will be at 11:00 local time on 11 September at UN House, United Nations Street -14, Ulaanbaatar 14201, Mongolia, in the press conference room, 3rd floor. Access will be strictly limited to journalists.

The Independent Expert will submit a comprehensive report about his visit to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2020.

ENDS

Mr. Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky (Argentina) was appointed as Independent Expert on the effects of foreign debt and human rights by the United Nations Human Rights Council on 8 May 2014. He has previously worked as a Sovereign Debt Expert for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) where he coordinated an Expert Group on Responsible Sovereign Lending and Borrowing. He is independent of any government or organization and serves in his individual capacity.

The Independent Experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organisation and serve in their individual capacity.

Follow the Independent Expert’s work on twitter at: @IEfinanceHRs

UN Human Rights, Country Page — Mongolia

For more information and media requests, please contact: Ms Nomin Lkhagvasuren' (nomin.lkhagvasuren@one.un.org)

In Ulaanbaatar (during the visit): Ms Frédérique Bourque (+41 79 500 0032 / fbourque@ohchr.org or write to ieforeigndebt@ohchr.org)

In Geneva (before and after the visit): Ms Frédérique Bourque (+41 22 917 9946 / fbourque@ohchr.org write to : ieforeigndebt@ohchr.org
For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts please contact: Mr. Jeremy Laurence (+41 22 917 9383 / jlaurence@ohchr.org)

Follow news related to the UN’s independent human rights experts on Twitter @UN_SPExperts.

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