Law Library Helps a Helpless

Date: August 5, 2004

Mr. Ch.Narantsatsralt, 49, unemployed and unmarried, has recently won the central newspaper of the Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party “Unen” at the Supreme Court of Mongolia. It was the result of his a year-long struggle to dispute with Unen, the newspaper strongly favored the ruling government during the outgoing parliamentary term of 1996-2004. On April 5, 2003 Unen posted a humiliating information against Mr.Narantsatsralt for his participation in the demonstrations for fair land privatization in 2001-2002.

“I had to go through six court hearings without no money and even an attorney” told Ch.Narantsatsralt to Liberty Center . According to him, his local governor made a reference letter to legal bodies confirming that he was unable to pay for advocacy because of his poverty and unemployment. Then, the Mongolian Advocates’ Association designated two attorneys for Narantsatsralt to choose according to laws that allow poor people enjoy the right to have legal assistance and attorney for free. “Unfortunately, none of designated attorneys wanted to work for me. They said they would like to keep their jobs without getting involved in politicized cases.”

Recently Mr.Narantsatsralt visited Liberty Center to thank our staff and especially the executive director personally for encouraging him to make his complaints legally and through the court. “I did not know how to complain, I had no idea what to write in my complaints against such a sharp writers like the team of Unen newspaper. Then I decided to read laws and I began visiting Liberty Center ’s law library.” Narantsatsralt shares his story.

Mrs.Dorjhand, a librarian, admits that last year he was one of frequent visitors to the Center’s small law library located in the center of Ulaanbaatar . “We would help him find laws, articles and even would explain some legal terms when he asked. But mostly, the library was working at its full capacity of 15 visitors and we did not have time to talk to Mr.Narantsatsralt long. If he succeeded at courts, then he is the one who did it.”

“Many people laughed at me when I said about my intention to sue against Unen. Few activists from human rights NGOs like Ms. Undarya and Mrs.Oyungerel supported and gave me primary advice and even some small amount of money. I used them to collect evidences for my case.” Narantsatsralt told. “But most of all, I am so grateful to the law library that Liberty Center opened last year. It was just the right place to go for people like me--really helpless ones.”

“I like this library. It is not cold and distant. It is small and I feel like I am reading at home. In addition, the staff tries to find all the law books I need. I was surprised to see this library open today because the other libraries are closed during this summer. There is some research I would like to do before my school starts, so I am working here.” said a law school student – one of today’s readers.

Liberty Center’s Law Library opened for public since September 2003, thanks to the $15,000 grant given by a German foundation Miseroer and book donations of 128 Mongolian and international organizations and individuals. This summer, the library’s operation is funded by the California based NGO “Amistad International.”