Mongolia: Women Press Freedom Condemns Court's Decision to Uphold the Wrongful Conviction of Unurtsetseg Naran
November 7, 2024 - Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar
Women Press Freedom strongly condemns the recent upholding of the 5-year prison sentence of unjustly imprisoned editor-in-chief Unurtsetseg Naran of the news site Zarig by the Mongolian appeals court.
The conviction, following a closed-door trial that restricted access to critical evidence and denied her the opportunity for a fair defense, raises serious concerns about the integrity of the judicial process in this case. The charges against Naran, who has been in custody for 111 days—including allegations of spreading false information and tax evasion—seem to be politically motivated and intended to silence a journalist renowned for her crucial investigative work.
The secretive nature of the trial, particularly the invocation of state secrets, is a clear violation of the public's right to transparency and accountability. We believe that the media plays a vital role in informing the public and holding power to account, and any attempts to stifle this essential work must be vehemently opposed.
Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Unurtsetseg Naran and calls for an immediate review of her case by the Supreme Court. We demand her prompt release and full exoneration. We urge the Mongolian authorities to acknowledge the vital role of a free press in a democratic society and to create an environment where journalists can work without the fear of persecution.
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