Mongolia: Call for restraint after violent protests

Amnesty calls for independent and impartial investigations into killings

Amnesty International today called for restraint by both the authorities and the protesters to prevent any further deaths or injuries following the violent protests in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

According to press reports, five people have been killed, more than 300 injured and hundreds detained.

Mongolia's government imposed a four-day state of emergency yesterday and deployed armed forces and border police in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, to support the police force.

Amnesty International said:

"A state of emergency does not mean the government can ignore human rights.

"The government must immediately send clear instructions to the security forces to avoid any excessive use of force.

"Once the situation has calmed, they should also conduct independent and impartial inquiries into the killings and prosecute those responsible, including police officers.

"At the same time, any protestors who have been detained should be properly charged and tried, or released.”