Movement of Mongolian Rivers and Lakes sued Government of Mongolia

On October 22, United Movement of Mongolian Rivers and Lakes sued Government of Mongolia in the court of Sukhbaatar district of Ulaanbaatar city in order to get compensation of environmental damages in basins of Onggi, Zavkhan, Tuul, Khangiltsag, Khuder, Ulz, Yeroo and Gachuurt rivers in compliance with article 19.1 of the Mongolian Constitution, and Article 7.7.2, 11.1.6 of the Mongolian law on Government. The Government of Mongolia is not implementing the above laws, so ecological imbalance has been observed throughout the country. We consider that Government of Mongolia is responsible for natural-ecological disaster facing Mongolia. Therefore, we are suing the Government of Mongolia according to article 32.1.1 of Mongolian law on Environmental Protection. In Article 16.1.2 of the law on the Constitution of Mongolia, which calls for “the right to a healthy and safe environment, and to be protected against environmental pollution and ecological imbalance”, but the right is violated seriously. According to Mongolian Constitution, the Government of Mongolia is responsible to protect this right for Mongolian citizens. However, the Government is not implementing the laws and therefore, much ecological damage has already occurred.

The vice -minster of the Ministry of Nature and vice minister of the Ministry of energy and minerals will represent the Government of Mongolia in the courtroom. Decision to cancel 254 licences taken by the Government on November 17 is only partial solution, and 391 exploitation and 1400 exploration licences should be cancelled according to the new law. During summer 2010 the United Movement of Mongolian Rivers and Lakes actively participated in delineation of no-mining water protection zones under this Law and recent Government decision means that deliniated protection zones finally officially come into effect.

Rivers without Boundaries based on UMMRL press-release