PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 30/002/2005

23 June 2005

Further Information on UA 128/05 (ASA 30/001/2005, 19 May 2005) Medical/ Legal Concerns/ Prisoner of Conscience

MONGOLIA Lodoisambuu Sanjaasuren (m), lawyer and human rights defender, aged 60

Amnesty International has received conflicting reports on the level of medical attention that Lodoisambuu Sanjaasuren is receiving in detention for his serious heart condition. The Mongolian government has claimed that he is receiving adequate medical treatment. However, this assertion is contradicted by Lodoisambuu Sanjaasuren’s family, who say that he has been denied access to his doctor since 3 March, and that he is in a "critical" condition.

On 17 June, Amnesty International received a letter from the Embassy of Mongolia in London in response to appeals sent by members of the UA network. The Embassy states that they had been informed by the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs and the General Authority for Implementing Court Decisions that “adequate medical care and treatment are [being] given to” Lodoisambuu. However, his family has told Amnesty International that he has only been able to see his doctor twice since he was detained, in November 2004 and March 2005. On both occasions Lodoisambuu Sanjaasuren paid for the cost of his consultation and treatment. His family say that since 3 March, he has been repeatedly denied access to his doctor and his heart condition is now "critical".

Lodoisambuu Sanjaasuren was convicted of exposing state secrets in November 2004 and sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment. He has recently appealed for a pardon from the President but is yet to receive a response. Amnesty International considers him to be a prisoner of conscience and a human rights defender, as he was arrested simply for protecting the rights of his client.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language:

- thanking the government for its letter to Amnesty International, dated 17 June 2005, responding to appeals on behalf of Lodoisambuu Sanjaasuren;

- expressing concern that despite the government’s assurances, Lodoisambuu Sanjaasuren’s family report that he has not been allowed to meet his doctor since 3 March and that his heart condition is now "critical";

- urging the authorities to provide him immediately with adequate medical care, including access to his doctor;

- urging the authorities to release Lodoisambuu Sanjaasuren immediately and unconditionally as he is a prisoner of conscience who has been detained solely for defending the rights of his client.

APPEALS TO:

Nambar Enkhbayar

President of Mongolia

Government House

Ulaanbaatar-12

Mongolia

Fax: + 976 11 311121

Email: webmaster@presi.pmis.gov.mn

Salutation: Your Excellency

Mr Elbergdorj TS

Prime Minister of Mongolia

Government House

Ulaanbaatar-12

Mongolia

Fax: + 976 11 328329

Salutation: Your Excellency

COPIES TO:

Mr Nyamdorj Ts.

Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs

Huldaldaani Gudamj-61A

Ulaanbaatar-46

Mongolia

Fax: + 976 11 325225

and to diplomatic representatives of Mongolia accredited to your country.

Please send letters of support to Lodoisambuu Sanjaasuren at the following address:

Lodoisambuu Sanjaasuren

Prison 425

Amgalan City

Bayanzurkh district

Mongolia

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 4 August 2005.