Anti-TraffickingProgram in Mongolia

In Mongolia, trafficking in persons for sexual andlabor exploitation is on the rise, though relativelyfew cases have been tried, and fewer perpetratorsconvicted. Law enforcement and judicial officialsface daunting challenges in their efforts to investi-gate, prosecute, and adjudicate human traffickingcases. Though Mongolian anti-trafficking statuteswere significantly strengthened in early 2008,weaknesses remain in the interpretation andimplementation of the legal code.

The Asia Foundation has been at the forefront ofaddressing human trafficking issues in Mongoliasince 2002. Through programs implemented todate, the Foundation has: provided technicalassistance to strengthen and adopt key legislationthat adheres to the Palermo Protocol supplement-ing the UN Convention against TransnationalOrganized Crime; established a highly successfulhotline, in partnership with the MongolianGender Equality Center, which has received morethan 3,800 calls resulting in a significant increasein trafficking cases registered with the police; andreached an estimated 100,000 youth throughmulti-media and awareness campaigns to preventtrafficking across the country.

From 2009-2011, the Foundation continued itsanti-trafficking efforts through a program to deterhuman trafficking, from and within Mongolia,through improved investigation, increased prose-cution, and strengthened prevention.

STRENGTHENING THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK

AND LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY TO

INVESTIGATE, PROSECUTE, AND ADJUDICATE

PERPETRATORS

In partnership with the Mongolian HumanRights Center for Citizens, The Asia Foundationconducted a series of trainings for more than 160judges, prosecutors, investigators, and advocates.The trainings promoted a common understand-ing of legislative best practices and effective use oflegal instruments. Additionally, in partnershipwith the Mongolian Women Lawyers’ Association,the Foundation supported the passage of a Lawon Combating Trafficking in Persons. TheFoundation has also contributed to compulsorytraining curricula for judges and prosecutors atthe National Legal Institute, trained more than600 law practitioners across the country, and builtthe capacity of anti-trafficking investigations. TheFoundation also supported the Government ofMongolia to expand international cooperation tocombat trafficking, resulting in a landmark coop-eration agreement signed with the Government ofMacau, SAR.

Since the amendment to the Criminal Code in2008 an increase in trafficking cases filed in courthas lead to 41 convictions with 80 perpetratorsunder Articles 113 and 124 of the Criminal Codeof Mongolia.

In May 2009, the Foundation was awarded a two-year program to reduce and

deter human trafficking, from

and within Mongolia, through

improved investigation,

prosecution, and prevention.

The Asia Foundationhas been working

in Mongolia since 1993.

MONGOLIA

FACT SHEET

The Asia Foundation promotes justice, accountability, and prosperity in Mongolia.

HEADQUARTERS465 California Street, 9th FloorSan Francisco, CA 94104 USATel: (415) 982-4640Fax: (415) 392-8863info@asiafound.org

WASHINGTON, DC1779 Massachusetts Ave., NWSuite 815Washington, D.C. 20036 USATel: (202) 588-9420Fax: (202) 588-9409info@dc.asiafound.org

MONGOLIAUnited Nations Street-18Central P.O.B-1003Ulaanbaatar 14201MongoliaTel/Fax: (976-11) 311-497generalmg@asiafound.org

www.asiafoundation.org

The Asia Foundation is

a private, non-profit,

non-governmental

organization. Through

its programs, the

Foundation builds

leadership, improves

policies, and strengthens

institutions to foster

greater openness and

shared prosperity in the

Asia-Pacific region. It is

funded by contributions

from corporations,

foundations, individuals,

and governmental

organizations in the

U.S., Europe, Canada,

Australia, and Asia, and

an annual appropriation

from the U.S. Congress.

PREVENTING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS

In cooperation with the Mongolian GenderEquality Center, the Adolescents’ DevelopmentCenter, and other stakeholders, The AsiaFoundation trained more than 300 border guards,600 railway officials, and 450 Crime PreventionUnit members, and established anti-traffickingnetworks of community-based organizations andconcerned citizens. The focal areas for this pro-gram included Ulaanbaatar, Zamiin Uud soum,Dornogovi aimag, and Choibalsan town, Dornodaimag. Trained officials are conducting compre-hensive TIP prevention activities in thesecommunities.

In partnership with the InternationalOrganization for Migration (IOM) and theCenter for Child and Women Protection, theFoundation redesigned and distributed 500,000passport inserts that have resulted in increasedTIP reporting. In collaboration with the Unionof Mongolian Students, the Foundation initiateduniversity dorm-based anti-trafficking campaignsthat reached approximately 10,000 youth.

Since May 2009, when the Foundation wasawarded a two year program from the U.S.Department of State’s Office to Monitor andCombat Trafficking in Persons entitled,“Prosecuting Perpetrators of Human Trafficking”,we have seen significant improvements in investi-gation practices, an increased rate of prosecutions,and strengthened prevention measures. In thecoming months we anticipate that the Parliamentwill discuss the proposed anti-trafficking law thatwill ensure human trafficking continues to decline,and victims are entitled to state protectionservices.

PLACES IN MONGOLIA WHERE THE ASIA FOUNDATION HAS CONDUCTED

ANTI-TRAFFICKING ACTIVITIES

MONGOLIA

Ulaanbaatar

08/2011

The Asia Foundation has recently focused on training railway personnel ontrafficking prevention, identification and assistance to potential victims