Ulaanbaatar, January 3, 2024 /MONTSAME/. The Amendments to the Criminal Code and Amendments to the Law on Offence are taking effect from the beginning of 2024. In this regard, the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs of Mongolia briefed on the significant changes made in the Criminal Code and the Law on Offence.

The amendment provides for tougher punishment for crimes committed against minors, highlighted Advisor to the Minister of Justice and Internal Affairs D. Munkh-Erdene. The maximum term of imprisonment for a murder of a minor or rape of a minor is increased from 20 years to 25 years. The amended Criminal Code reflects that except for life sentence crimes the statute of limitations period for rape of a minor, sexual exploitation of a minor, and human trafficking is to be considered from the day when the victim reaches 18 years of age. 

The Amendment Law also provides that an offender for crimes with aggravating liability committed against minors including a murder of a minor, rape of a minor, sexual exploitation of a minor, and human trafficking is not to be allowed early release from prison on parole. Moreover, an offender for crimes with aggravating liability committed against minors in particular human trafficking is not to be subject to pardon.

With the amendments to the Law on Offence penalties for criminal cases and offences caused by driving under the influence of alcohol toughened. Violation of the rules of traffic safety and use of motor vehicles is regulated by the Law on Offence. Driving under the influence of alcohol for the first time leads to a fine of MNT 400,000 or imprisonment from 7 to 30 days, in addition to cancellation of the driving license for 1 year.

According to the Amendment to the Criminal Code, if a driver with canceled driving license drives in the state of drunkenness or narcotic intoxication shall be punished with the cancellation of the driving license for a term of up to 3 years, a fine of MNT 2.7 to 14 million, forced labour for 240 to 720 hours, restriction of the right to travel for a period from 6 to 36 months or incarceration for a term from 3 to 36 months.

If a driver in the state of drunkenness or narcotic intoxication makes an accident entailing human death of more than two persons shall be punishable by cancellation of the driver's license for a term of 8-12 years and imprisonment for a term from 2 to 8 years.

If fines for violation of the rules of traffic safety and use of motor vehicles are paid within 15 days, the amount of the fine is to be reduced by 50 percent. However, if the period provided by the law is exceeded, the fine will be increased by 50 percent. In addition, failure to pay fines shall be punishable by forced labour.