Written question asked by Michael Trend (Conservative) on Tuesday, 24 September 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 October 2002. It was answered by Denis MacShane (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 October 2002 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the Government of Mongolia over the case of Ms B. Khanddolgar, Editor-in-Chief of the UG newspaper, recently imprisoned for alleged slander; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Trend: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has made to the Government of Mongolia over the case of Ms B. Khanddolgar, Editor-in-Chief of the UG newspaper, recently imprisoned for alleged slander; and if he will make a statement. [74510] Mr. MacShane: The editor of the Mongolian ``Ug'' newspaper was sentenced to one year's imprisonment after publishing a story claiming that a private citizen had contracted AIDS following alleged affairs with Russian border guards. The allegations proved false. ``Ug'' issued an apology, but the citizen had already been killed by her partner. This was the fourth time that ``Ug'' had been taken to court facing similar charges. In discussion with ministers, editors and journalists in Mongolia last month I made clear the importance the government attaches to freedom of expression and for the need to check facts carefully and avoid publishing allegations made for sensationalist or sectarian purposes.

Secondary information