IFJ Condemns Assaults on News Crew in Mongolia

January 18, 2012

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Confederation of Mongolian Journalists (CMJ) in condemning the assault on a Khongor Television news crew in Bayankhongor Province in western Mongolia, on January 2.

Journalist T. Danaasuren and camera operator J. Tuvshintulga were assaulted while covering a series of incidents between small local mining entrepreneurs and guards from the Special Mines company, following complaints from local residents.

According to a report from Mongolian press freedom NGO Globe International, the television crew were approached by the company’s guards while entering Special Mines’ premises to investigate the dispute. The guards reportedly threatened to kill the news crew, and stuck their truncheons into the face of T. Danaasuren.

The guards then seized the crew’s camera and detained them in an unheated ger (traditional Mongolian dwelling) for two hours. The camera was destroyed during the scuffle between the camera operator and the guards. The guards also subsequently deleted all images from the camera.

“The IFJ joins the CMJ in calling on the law enforcement agencies of Bayankhongor Province to fully investigate these alleged assaults,” IFJ Asia-Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.

“Intimidation and physical assaults are a clear violation of media rights. The press should be able to report freely on events in the public interest, without fear for their personal safety.”

Article 39 of Mongolia’s Criminal Code states: “Prevention of a journalist’s professional activities that are consistent with law with the view of dissemination or preventing dissemination of any information which affects the culprit’s or others’ interests shall be punishable”. Article 16 of the Mongolian Constitution also guarantees the right to seek and receive information.

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

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ENDS

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