Globe International has launched a campaign to raise funds for Unuudur (Today) newspaper photo-journalist Byamba-Ochir Byambasuren, who was seriously injured during the post-election riots on July 1.

Byamba-Ochir, 23, was reporting on the demonstration in front of the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party building, in which thousands of people gathered to protest the results of the 2006 Parliamentary elections and which later escalated into a full-scale riot. 

He suffered serious head injuries while reporting on the riots and was admitted to the Trauma Orthopedic Center in Ulaanbaatar, where he underwent surgery on an epidural haematoma and to remove bone fragments lodged in his brain. However, he still requires further surgery — a procedure that cannot be performed in Mongolia and that will cost an estimated $USD 40,000.

Byamba-Ochir lives with his mother and younger brother. His mother, a primary school teacher, is unable to cover all the expenses related to further medical treatment. Unuudur newspaper has approached the Japanese embassy in Ulaanbaatar for assistance.

Globe International is calling on our friends and colleagues abroad to contribute to Byamba-Ochir’s surgical expenses. We will provide updates on the progress of the fundraising.

Bank account:  

Please mark donations:                      Donation to Byamba-Ochir

Correspondent Bank:                          NSBC BANK USA, NEW YORK

                                                            SWIFT: MRMDUS33

                                                            ACC- 0000304298

Beneficiary's Bank:                             Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia,

Branch No 804

Peace Avenue 11A, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

SWIFT: TDBM MN UB

Beneficiary's Account:                                    40 411 36 97

Beneficiary's Name:                           Globe International

Globe International is a Mongolian NGO founded in 1999 and works to safeguard media freedom and protect the journalists’ rights. For more information please visit our web site at www.globeinter.org.mn

P.S: Globe International located at Bloc G of the City Cultural Palace has also suffered from the riot and we do not have the normal working conditions because there are no electricity and telephone lines. For inquiry, please write:

Naranjargal Khashkhuu (Naraa)-hnaran@globeinter.org.mn, mobile phone (976) 99288924

D.Munkhburen(Burnee)-munkhburen@yahoo.com, mobile phone (976) 99189576

Ch.Munkzul(Zulaa_- globe@magicnet.mn, mobile phone (976) 99096865

Additional information

Mongolia’s 2008 Parliamentarian elections were held on June 29, 2008. Twelve political parties and one coalition party were contesting 76 seats. The following day, the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party (MPRP) convened a press conference and stated that they had won the election with an absolute majority. At that time, the General Election Commission had not officially announced the final results. The opposition parties protested the results, claiming the elections were not fair and demanded a recount of the vote. The opposition parties then organized a public demonstration in front of the MPRP building. A few hours later, demonstrators began attacking and burning the building. Police were unable to control the situation and the building was gutted. The situation then escalated further, with rioters vandalising and looting the MPRP building and then attacking the adjacent City Cultural Palace, which left Block B gutted and Block C partially damaged. Other offices in other adjoining blocks were also looted and vandalised. 

*Update

Donation organization

International Federation of Journalists - 1,000 EURO

The Norwegian Union of Journalists - 1,000 EURO