Reform Description

Local Human Rights Reporting and Review (LoHRRR)  is not just an action—it is a movement toward inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance. It redefines how Mongolia protects and promotes human rights by embedding local voices, data-driven evaluation, and civic partnership into the heart of public policy. 
Inspired by the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review, the National Committee for Human Rights (NatComHR) launched the Local Human Rights Reporting and Review (LoHRRR) in 2023—the first local human rights mechanism under the Government Cabinet. Since 2024, the Committee for Government Efficiency has assumed NatComHR’s responsibilities. LoHRRR aims to evaluate and strengthen the implementation and impact of state policies on human rights. It also engages with local civil society organizations (CSOs), enabling them to submit parallel reports on human rights conditions and violations. Under this framework, three key tasks will be carried out:
1.        Submission of Local Human Rights Reports (2025, 2026, and 2027) - Provincial and district offices are required to submit local human rights reports by December 15 each year, coinciding with International Human Rights Day. These reports must cover five core areas: 
•        Engagement in National Human Rights Mechanism 
•        Efforts to Ensure Fundamental Human Rights 
•        Challenging Human Rights Violations 
•        Implementation of Article 9.1.6 of the Law on the Legal Status of Human Rights Defenders of Mongolia
•        Recommendations and Conclusions
Once submitted, local governors present these reports according to the approved schedule, reinforcing accountability and fostering a society that respects human rights.

2.        Enhancing CSO Participation in Decision-Making - Parallel reports from CSOs play a vital role in capturing specialized and localized human rights concerns. However, participation has been low—no reports were submitted in 2022, only four in 2023, and eleven out of thirty provinces/districts in 2024. This highlights the urgency to increase CSO engagement. To address this issue, LoHRRR must be disseminated more widely through online platforms, governor's office media outlets, and other channels.

3.        Evaluation of Local Reports Based on Set Criteria - A working group composed of government and non-government representatives will assess local human rights reports based on following ten criteria: 
•        Compliance with form and content requirements 
•        Reflection of best practices in human rights 
•        Inclusion of multiple stakeholders in discussions 
•        Documentation of human rights violations 
•        Methodological guidance and advice from the Office 
•        Expansion of civic space 
•        Accountability measures 
•        Prevention of discrimination 
•        Accessibility of processes and reporting mechanisms 
•        Data readiness and effective use of information


Problem(s) Addressed by Reform

For three years, the message has been clear: people with disabilities, especially in rural areas, are being left behind. A score of just 5.5 out of 10 reflects more than numbers; it reflects lives lived without access to basic rights—independent living, personal assistance, quality healthcare, education, and fair work environments. These are not luxuries, they are necessities. Yet too often, they are ignored by those in power. But there is hope. The Local Human Rights Reporting and Review (LoHRRR) is creating space for change—bringing marginalized voices directly to the table with decision-makers and turning silence into action.
According to official 2024 data from the National Statistics Office of Mongolia, 111,228 individuals in Mongolia have some form of disability and 67% reside in rural areas. This underscores the need for universal design, assistive technology, social inclusion, and web accessibility to ensure equitable access to services. To address these critical public concerns, the following areas require urgent attention:

1.        Accessibility Challenges
Over the past three years, accessibility has consistently received a low score of 5.5 out of 10, indicating significant barriers in rural areas where people with disabilities struggle to access state services equally. For example, independent living, personal assistance and realization of rights of persons with disabilities are neglecting generally by governors and his/her respective service providers in the public service. Quality health and education service delivery, decent workplace, reasonable accommodation are still lacking at national level. However, LoHRRR is giving space to participate with governors directly and volume upping the voices of marginalized groups.   

2.        Stakeholder Participation in Human Rights Reporting
The criterion assessing inclusivity in human rights discussions has shown concerning trends: 
•        2022: 4.7 (average score) 
•        2023: 4.2 (lowest score) 
•        2024: 5.7 (still among the lowest scores)
These findings highlight the need to broaden stakeholder engagement in human rights discussions to ensure diverse perspectives are represented. Respective governors acknowledged local human rights dialogues and parallel reporting and promised to widen the presence of social groups broadly. 

As of 2024, some localities have not submitted required human rights data, revealing gaps in civil servants’ awareness of their role in the national human rights framework. Some still view human rights as separate from state duties. Strengthening human rights education for local officials is essential for effective monitoring and reporting. Gradually, local governors and their staff are improving their capacity in this area.
Please visit the following link for the assessment of the 2024 Human Rights Report.  
https://coge.gov.mn/human-rights/  


To address the root causes of these accessibility challenges, we are committed to implementing targeted, systemic reforms. Our efforts will focus on dismantling structural barriers, holding service providers accountable, and ensuring that inclusive policies are not only adopted but fully enforced at every level of governance. 
1. Eliminating Inaccessibility
To address accessibility challenges, recommendations will be provided to the governors of all provinces and districts, including conducting a national accessibility assessment with the active participation of civil society organizations (CSOs). This assessment will focus on physical, digital, and communication accessibility and will involve key stakeholders such as: 
•        Ministry of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing 
•        Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Protection 
•        Local government offices 
•        Local CSOs and professional associations
By conducting this comprehensive assessment, all localities will be able to evaluate their current accessibility landscape and take necessary measures to ensure inclusivity. Ultimately, accessibility means creating a society where everyone can fully and equally participate.
2. Strengthening Civil Society Engagement in Human Rights Reporting
Increasing CSOs' participation in human rights reporting and parallel reports will lead to more reports being submitted in the coming years. To facilitate this, follow-up online meetings will be organized with all stakeholders, particularly local CSOs that submit parallel reports on specific human rights issues, such as accessibility for people with disabilities. Their engagement in these meetings will provide: 
•        Full access to relevant information 
•        Opportunities to present and share evaluation results 
•        A space to co-develop problem-solving pathways with state authorities
Receiving parallel reports and ensuring active CSO involvement in the reporting process will be a foundation for co-creating solutions through government-CSO partnerships. This collaboration is essential in reducing human rights violations, particularly those related to accessibility.
3.        Advancing Human Rights Awareness and Reporting
In 2022, many provinces struggled to identify human rights violations. By 2023, reporting improved as understanding grew. In 2024, all localities recognized violations, marking strong progress. Moving forward, recommendations will be integrated into governors’ action plans to ensure systematic responses . 

Governors are increasingly applying a human rights-based approach to programming and data within results-based management and public reporting. In 2024, Parliament acknowledged key legal reforms by forming working groups to develop a national human rights action plan and draft laws on anti-discrimination, accessibility, and standardization


Relevance to OGP Values

Each of these stages is intentionally designed to advance three core pillars of good governance: transparency, accountability, and public participation. By linking every step to these principles, we ensure that the process is not only effective—but also inclusive, open, and responsive to the people it serves.
1. Transparency. LoHRRR ensures availability and accessibility of information. All reports and reporting processes are publicly available online with full access. Additionally, governors are required to present their reports in person, reinforcing state transparency. During online presentations, government agency staff participate while working group members ask questions regarding the report’s quantitative data, research findings, actions taken, implemented work, achieved results, etc. Following the evaluation, assessment results, consolidated report and recommendations are posted on a publicly accessible website, ensuring open access to information.
2. Public accountability is promoted through discussions among citizens, CSOs, and a Working Group where CSO members outnumber government representatives, enabling independent evaluation. CSOs can present parallel reports after the governor’s report, ensuring diverse perspectives. Local staff of the National Human Rights Commission provide oversight, and based on findings, citizens and CSOs can request clarifications from local authorities, who are required to respond.  
3. Civic Participation. Citizen and CSO involvement are prioritized throughout the reporting and presentation process. For instance, in January 2025, the Working Group assessing the report included representatives from organizations focused on disability rights, including a disabled person using a wheelchair. One of the ten evaluation criteria is civic participation, which is mandatory. CSOs are actively involved in submitting, presenting, and contributing to the integrated recommendations through parallel reports. Moreover, before reports are officially submitted, they are discussed with a broad range of local stakeholders, ensuring that citizens and CSOs have the opportunity to provide input.

Assessing the current National Human Rights Action Program and drafting 2nd National Human Rights Action Program by the Parliament is already ensuring and enshrining Open Government Partnership’s values and principles following the Cabinet Secretariat’s proposal to the Parliament. Now, it is already exercising co-creation process of the drafting document and provides broad national consultation with all societal groups


Intended Results

During this critical phase, we are driving toward a set of high-impact outcomes designed to create lasting change. Our focus is clear: deliver measurable results that strengthen human rights protections, enhance local accountability, and ensure inclusive governance. These key results include:
1. Increased Engagement by Governors
Governors of provinces and districts are increasingly presenting their reports in person, demonstrating a growing commitment to human rights as an essential part of local governance. This shift reflects greater awareness and accountability among local authorities.
2. Enhanced Public Participation and Policy Integration
Reports have been received from all local civil society organizations (CSOs) and discussed online, marking a significant step toward strengthening public engagement in rural areas. This increased participation will be reflected in: 
•        Parallel reports submitted by diverse stakeholders, ensuring a comprehensive view of human rights concerns. 
•        Incorporation of findings into governor action plans and regional policy development strategies.
Governors plan and implement programs on a four-year cycle, but in 2024, the regional development concept has been revived with renewed momentum. This national plan aims to balance development between urban and rural areas, fostering equitable economic growth, optimal resource utilization, and human capital development. Aligning the human rights reporting initiative with these national development frameworks is critical for securing funding, improving execution, and ensuring long-term sustainability.
3. Implementation of Accessibility Assessments
One of the integrated recommendations for all provincial and district governors is to conduct local accessibility assessments in collaboration with representatives from government agencies, including all 21 provinces and capital city's 9 districts. This process will increase CSO involvement, ensuring civil society participation in accessibility assessments conducted by local authorities. As a result: 
•        Each locality will gain a deeper understanding of existing accessibility barriers. 
•        Local governments will be able to develop policies and action plans to address accessibility concerns. 
•        Customized short-, medium- and long-term action plans will be established based on each locality’s specific assessment results. 
•        State-CSO partnerships will continue strengthening, fostering joint efforts in human rights protection.
Citizens with disabilities are now joining building acceptance committees to help ensure the infrastructure meets accessibility standards.
4. Mid-Term Evaluation and Long-Term Vision
As the five-year implementation period nears completion, this mid-term review aims to strengthen efforts beyond 2027. Continued collaboration and reporting will reinforce the state’s role as a key actor in Mongolia’s national human rights mechanism, ensuring lasting commitment



Milestones

1. Public Presentation of the Consolidated Report as advocacy document to all including citizens and CSOs
Once completed, the consolidated report will be presented to all stakeholders and the public. This will allow local communities to: 
•        Assess the human rights situation in their area 
•        Determine whether the government is using a human rights-based approach in decision-making
•        Understand how effectively human rights violations are being prevented 
•        Identify key issues that need further action to protect and uphold human rights.
This transparency ensures that citizens, CSOs, and local authorities can align efforts to address pressing human rights concerns at the local level.

2. Regional Meetings to Exchange Best Practices as Learning Collaborative
To strengthen implementation and knowledge-sharing, follow-up discussions will be organized, where governors will review recommendations and share lessons learned. These discussions will be structured according to the regional development concept approved by the Mongolian Parliament, with provinces grouped into: 
•        Khangai Region – Arkhangai, Bayankhongor, and Uvurkhangai 
•        Western Region – Bayan-Olgii, Govi-Altai, Zavkhan, Uvs, and Khovd 
•        Northern Region – Bulgan, Orkhon, and Khuvsgul 
•        Central Region – Darkhan-Uul, Selenge, and Tuv 
•        Eastern Region – Dornod, Sukhbaatar, and Khentii 
•        Gobi Region – Govisumber, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, and Umnugovi 
•        Ulaanbaatar Region – Districts and satellite cities

During these online sessions, civil society organizations will play a pivotal role—contributing parallel reports and localized insights that directly inform and shape regional policy development. Their on-the-ground expertise ensures that policies are not only data-driven but deeply rooted in the realities of the communities they serve.

3. Human Rights Reporting Training for Governor’s Offices as continuous development of primary duty bearers
An online training program will be conducted for the staff of Governor’s Offices across 21 provinces and 9 districts to enhance their ability to: 
•        Prepare human rights reports in alignment with established procedures 
•        Ensure multi-stakeholder participation in the reporting process 
•        Effectively engage with CSOs to create inclusive reporting mechanisms.
If deemed necessary, county and city district governors may also participate in the training. Additionally, training on indicators will be organized for members of the Working Group, ensuring data-driven evaluation and policy recommendations.

4. All submissions and reviews were shared online and can learn from previous reviews and its engagement of stakeholders such as reporting governors, representative from National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia, and members of the working groups. Capacity building training for grassroots level NGOs, human rights activists, defenders and experts will be conducted based on expertise earned by members of the working group for the LoHRRR.


Is Civil Society Involved?

1. Parallel Reports
•        In the upcoming year, efforts will focus on expanding parallel reporting, particularly in the field of disability rights, by ensuring that local organizations receive comprehensive information on how to submit parallel reports. A significant increase in parallel reports is expected as a result. Additionally, local organizations specializing in disability rights will be encouraged to submit parallel reports. A key focus will be ensuring that reports on the local human rights situation incorporate direct participation and perspectives from these groups. Special attention will be given to: 
•        How accessibility assessments are carried out in collaboration with CSOs 
•        Measures aimed at increasing accessibility within localities 
•        The extent to which local reports reflect contributions from civil society organizations.

2. Strengthening the Role of the Working Group
The Working Group plays a vital role in evaluating and advancing human rights reporting. Their responsibilities include: 
•        Reviewing reports submitted by 21 provinces and 9 districts 
•        Listening to presentations, asking clarifying questions, and providing tailored conclusions and recommendations for each locality over a five-day evaluation period 
•        Assessing each report against the 10 criteria specified in the regulations 
•        Developing a consolidated set of conclusions and recommendations for broader implementation 
•        Participating in both in-person and online meetings to present evaluation results. 

3. Online Training for Governor’s Offices and CSOs
An online training program will be organized for the staff of Governor’s Offices across 21 provinces and 9 districts, with full access granted to local CSOs. The training will focus on: 
•        Building awareness about the reporting process and human rights documentation 
•        Ensuring multi-stakeholder participation 
•        Guiding local authorities on integrating civil society involvement.

As a result, rural communities will gain a greater understanding of this initiative, increasing transparency, public accountability, and civic engagement. Additionally, county and city district governors may be invited to participate if necessary. This integrated approach will ensure that human rights reporting and evaluation remain inclusive, transparent, and community-driven, strengthening Mongolia’s national human rights framework.