IRI Training Leads to First-Ever Open Parliamentary Hearing

November 13, 2002

Mongolia's parliament held its first-ever open hearing October 25 through an IRI program. Andrew LaVanway, an IRI trainer from Washington DC, headed up the project which helped establish a process for public committee hearings in parliament. The hearing took place in the Legal Standing Committee on State Structure. Members discussed the budget for courts, jails and police. All but two committee members were in attendance along with Legal Standing Committee Chairman Demberel, Economics Committee Chairman Orchirhuu, Finance Minister Ulaan and Vice Speaker Byambadorj.

Expert testimony was given by the chief justice of the Mongolian Supreme Court, the chief of police, the attorney general and several others. Four television stations and 10 newspapers covered the hearing.

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