Mongolian president Elbegdorj Tsakhia

MONGOLIA: PRESIDENT INTRODUCES CAPITAL PUNISHMENT MORATORIUM

January 14, 2010: Mongolia's president announced a moratorium on the death penalty, a move that rights groups welcomed as a step toward changing Mongolian law to ban executions permanently.
Many in the opposition-held parliament, however, withheld their applause in protest of President Elbegdorj Tsakhia's speech, a sign that making a lasting change could be difficult.
While the power to commute any death sentences rests with the president, changing the law would require help from Mongolia's opposition-dominated parliament. Mongolia's legal system follows the former Soviet legal system, and many lawyers and legislators favor harsh punishment for criminals.
"The majority of the world's countries have chosen to abolish the death penalty. We should follow this path," Elbegdorj said.
"From tomorrow, I'll pardon those on death row," he said. "I suggest commuting the death penalty to a 30-year severe jail sentence."
Amnesty International said Elbegdorj has commuted at least three death sentences since taking office in May, but added that if he is not re-elected after his four-year term, Mongolia's stance on executions could change "just like that."
The office of Amnesty International Mongolia says at least five people were executed in 2008. (Sources: Ap, 14/01/2010)