Law student’s research sparks global attention on public health crisis in Mongolia

When Bachelor of Laws student Marielle Intveld signed up for an international internship in Mongolia, she expected a rich learning experience.

What she didn’t expect was to contribute to a report sent directly to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Toxins and Human Rights, a document with the potential to influence global public health policy.

In April and May 2025, Marielle spent seven weeks working with the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia as part of a placement opportunity advertised through Flinders University’s Law School. The internship was recommended to her by Dr Sanzhuan Guo during her International Human Rights Law class. 

“Working with the Research, Analysis, and Inquiry department, I conducted research into the broad human rights climate in Mongolia. Under the guidance of Commissioner Narantuya Ganbat, I contributed to the preparation of a briefing for the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Toxins and Human Rights.”

The briefing addressed serious human rights concerns surrounding the use of non-food-grade plastics in Mongolia, a country with the highest cancer rate per 100,000 citizens globally and no existing regulations governing plastic use. These plastics, commonly used for storing food, can leach harmful toxins, contributing to alarmingly high rates of stomach cancer. 

“Our work aimed to draw international attention to this critical public health issue"

As part of her research, Marielle engaged with community advocates pushing for greater investigation into the issue, met with Mr Benoit Mathivet, the World Health Organisation’s Coordinator for Health Systems Mongolia, and had the opportunity to interact with the UN Special Rapporteur on Privacy, Members of Parliament, and academics from Ontgontenger University.

Dr Sanzhuan Guo, who helped connect Marielle to the opportunity, says this was far more than a routine placement.

Opportunities for Flinders Law students in Mongolia

Flinders Law School has a long-standing relationship with the National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia, offering students the chance to gain hands-on, real-world international legal experience in a unique cultural and political context. Students work directly with Commissioners and researchers on current human rights issues, contributing to meaningful policy and advocacy work with global impact.

For Marielle, this experience was life-changing. For the communities her work seeks to protect, it could be life-saving.