Constitution of Mongolia
The Constitution of Mongolia was adopted on 13 January 1992, put into force on 12 February, with amendments made in 1999, 2000, 2019, 2022, and 2023. The constitution established a representative democracy in Mongolia, enshrining core functions of the government, including the separation of powers and election cycle, and guaranteeing human rights, including freedom of religion, travel, expression, and private property. The document was written after the Mongolian Revolution of 1990, effectively dissolving the Mongolian People's Republic and ending the one-party rule.
It consists of a preamble followed by six chapters divided into seventy articles. It is heavily inspired by Western liberal democracies, evident in its protection of minority rights, freedom of expression and assembly, and [Multi-party system|multi-party Parliamentary republic|parliamentary system].
Constitutional history
After the 1921 Revolution that overthrew the Buddhist theocratic khanate, the first codified constitution was introduced in 1924 with the creation of the Mongolian People's Republic.A second constitution was adopted in June 1940 during the leadership of Premier Khorloogiin Choibalsan. The 1940 Constitution took the 1936 Soviet Constitution as its model. Elections were restricted—"enemies of the regime" could not vote—and indirect; lower bodies elected higher levels, but constitutional amendments after 1944 changed the system.
In 1951, the presidium of the MPR, the Little Khural, was abolished and its functions were transferred to the existing State Great Khural, which was renamed to the People's Great Khural.
In July 1960, a third constitution was adopted by the People's Great Khural.
In the aftermath of the 1990 Democratic Revolution, a fourth constitution was ratified on 13 January 1992. It transitioned the country from a socialist party state to a unitary parliamentary sovereign republic. The 1992 constitution dissolved the People's Great Khural and the State Little Khural, restructured the legislative branch of government, and ultimately created a new unicameral legislature, the State Great Khural. The official name of Mongolia was changed from the Mongolian People's Republic to Mongolia. A new state flag, emblem, and anthem were adopted.
Contents
Chapter one declares the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state, defines the relationship between religion and state, and defines the Mongolian emblem, flag, and anthem.Chapter two specifies the civil, political, and inalienable rights of the individual: freedom of speech, of religion, of expression, of the press, the right to vote, equality before the law, the right to government-provided health care, education, and intellectual property. It also lists duties of the citizen, including paying taxes and serving in the armed forces. While chapter three defines the structure of the legal system, the form of the republic, and the structure of the government, chapter four codifies the administrative districts of Mongolia and describes the relationship between national and local government.
Chapter five establishes a Constitutional Court to make rulings on the interpretation of the constitution, while chapter six describes the amendment process for changing it.