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International Movement of Parliamentarians for Democracy
-Alerts- Mongolian MP ArrestedIn front of dozens of journalists and human rights activists, Mongolian parliamentarian Lamjav Gundalai was forcefully removed from an airplane at Ulaanbaatar airport and later arrested by members of a special police force on July 24. Mr. Gundalai, vice chair of the opposition Democratic Party of Mongolia, was leaving for Singapore to chair a session on democracy and human rights at the International Youth Conference for Democracy.After he was taken off the airplane, Mr. Gundalai went to the Democratic Central Office building where he was attacked while trying to enter the office. Mr. Gundalai and his bodyguard, Mr. Tserennadmid, were grabbed and pushed to the ground several times during the arrest, and due to several hits to the head, Mr. Tserennadmid was unconscious at the time Mr. Gundalai was put into a police car. Mr. Gundalai was released 25 hours later from the Gants Hudag detention center. According to the State Investigation Office, Mr. Gundalai was arrested for violating state border laws by entering an airplane without a stamped passport. However, Mr. Gundalai holds a diplomatic passport, giving him immunity that can only be suspended by a parliamentary vote. The Mongolian parliament, the State Great Hural, has not suspended Mr. Gundalai's diplomatic immunity. The International Movement of Parliamentarians for Democracy strongly condemns the recent arrest and attack on Mr. Gundalai and the continued harassment of opposition MPs in the Mongolian parliament. The IMPD urges the State Great Hural, the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs, and the State Investigation Office to investigate the reasons for the arrest and use of brutal force. We urge members of the IMPD to raise the arrest and detention of Mr. Gundalai with Mongolian authorities and speak out against the continuing harassment of opposition MPs in Mongolia.
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