While the Constitution of Mongolia upholds freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, these rights remain vulnerable to restrictive interpretations and inconsistent enforcement. Proposed reforms, such as the Press Freedom Bill and a revised Demonstration Law, have raised concerns regarding how these measures could deepen restrictions due to vague language and weak safeguards. The detention of journalists from Noorog and suppression of peaceful protests during President Putin’s 2024 visit underscore ongoing threats to civic freedoms.

Legally, civil society organisations (CSOs) face no major barriers to registration or operation. However, recurring proposals to regulate foundations and federations raise concerns about increased scrutiny and state interference. These were postponed due to civil society advocacy, though opaque legislative processes persist. Financial sustainability remains a critical challenge, with most CSOs reliant on international donors, and the 2024 halt in U.S. funding triggered liquidity crises, reputational harm, and growing narratives framing CSOs as foreign agents. Project-based funding limits long-term planning and institutional development.

State openness continues to erode. Legislative initiatives increasingly originate from the executive, bypassing consultation and research. The implementation of transparency laws is weak, while an expanding list of classified information undermines accountability.

Public discourse is shaped by suspicion toward CSOs, often portrayed as opportunistic or externally influenced. In parallel, government-aligned disinformation and legal restrictions on digital surveillance oversight expose CSOs and journalists to reputational and operational risks.

Network Member:
Transparency International Mongolia