“Horse racing, being an important part of Mongolia's cultural heritage, is one of the most dangerous sports for children,” reports MiddleAsianNews.
Member of Parliament Baasanjargal Khurelbaatar, who is a member of the Standing Committee on Human Rights, drew attention to the serious risks faced by minors in horse racing, pointing to the alarming number of fatal cases.
On her social media pages, Baasanjargal reported information received from the Department of Forensic Medicine, according to which 46 children died from traumatic brain injuries sustained during horse racing. She emphasized that this data is based on official statistics and requires serious attention.
According to the deputy, the use of children as jockeys is documented in contracts registered with the Mongolian Chamber of Notaries. She added that in most cases, families are offered compensation ranging from ₮200,000 to ₮1,000,000 per month; however, the terms of payment, duration, and basic guarantees often remain unclear. Baasanjargal pointed out that such agreements may violate children's rights in the areas of health, education, and overall development.
She urged the public to report any cases of child exploitation or hazardous work by contacting the police at 102 or the child protection service at 108.
