“Sacred Stupa”, a Mongolian civil movement devoted to nature protection, conducted a workshop from 23-25 March for the residents of Ulziit, Batsengel, and Ugiinuur sumuns of Arkhangai province. The workshop dealt with such issues as environmental protection, enhancement of water use and the way citizens’ right to information is protected by law. Local subdivisions of the civil movement with several newly recruited members were set up during the workshop.

At the civil movement’s request, G. Davaakhuu, a law expert at the Globe International NGO, lectured the attendees on “Freedom of information, citizen’s right to information”, while Dr. Ch. Javzan, head of the Water analysis laboratory of the Geo-ecological Institute of the Mongolian Science Academy delivered a lecture on “Protection and use of water sources in Mongolia and beyond”. Furthermore, G. Davaakhuu exchanged his thoughts with residents as to how the right to information, right to rally and freedom of speech are protected by law.

According to the locals, the mining company conducting research in Ulziit sumun refused to present the documentation permitting the relevant work under the pretext that the information fell under the company’s secrets. Davaakhuu explained to residents that, under the Law of Mongolia on State, Organizations and individuals’ Secrets some information is classified. However the same law prohibits hiding information pertaining to crimes that can have a negative impact on human health and environment. Therefore, if a company refuses to provide information in a similar way, the resident should look through the organization’s classified items’ list and see for himself whether the information he or her requested fall under the category “classified”. In our country the right to information is guaranteed by the Constitution, but a procedure for accessing information is not legally guarantied yet.