Ulaanbaatar
President expresses stance on revised law on Offence
Politics
Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ During the Parliament’s plenary session which convened this morning to discuss 7 issues, Member of Parliament D.Erdenebat suggested to postpone the discussion on the revised law on Offence; however, the Parliament voted to proceed with the discussion.
As such, the Parliament is holding the first discussion on the revised law, and President Ts.Elbegdorj partook in the discussion. His speech highlighted three main issues – the revised law on Offence, draft law on Investment Bank and judicial accountability.
President Ts.Elbegdorj said, “The clause on defamation should be excluded from the revised law on Offence so as to reconfirm Mongolia’s commitment to freedom of speech”. He also said, “The law on Investment Bank must be addressed by the National Security Council first”.
Parliament Speaker M.Enkhbold informed that the Parliament will respond to the President’s guidance after some time.
As Parliament discusses the revised law on Offence, Confederation of Mongolian Journalists alongside 10 media unions and association including Mongolian Broadcasting Union and Press Council of Mongolia issued a statement today, April 27, condemning the controversial defamation clause.
“We see that the imposition of MNT 10-100 million fine on defamation of character reflected in the revised law on Offence, proposed to the Parliament, violates freedom of speech and right to information. This statement voices the united stance of media workers against any violation of rights to obtain and distribute information and freedom of speech, provisioned by the Constitution of Mongolia. With this statement, we call for engagement and consultative involvement of media representatives when adopting any laws and regulations concerning media activities and journalism”, the statement reads.
As such, the Parliament is holding the first discussion on the revised law, and President Ts.Elbegdorj partook in the discussion. His speech highlighted three main issues – the revised law on Offence, draft law on Investment Bank and judicial accountability.
President Ts.Elbegdorj said, “The clause on defamation should be excluded from the revised law on Offence so as to reconfirm Mongolia’s commitment to freedom of speech”. He also said, “The law on Investment Bank must be addressed by the National Security Council first”.
Parliament Speaker M.Enkhbold informed that the Parliament will respond to the President’s guidance after some time.
As Parliament discusses the revised law on Offence, Confederation of Mongolian Journalists alongside 10 media unions and association including Mongolian Broadcasting Union and Press Council of Mongolia issued a statement today, April 27, condemning the controversial defamation clause.
“We see that the imposition of MNT 10-100 million fine on defamation of character reflected in the revised law on Offence, proposed to the Parliament, violates freedom of speech and right to information. This statement voices the united stance of media workers against any violation of rights to obtain and distribute information and freedom of speech, provisioned by the Constitution of Mongolia. With this statement, we call for engagement and consultative involvement of media representatives when adopting any laws and regulations concerning media activities and journalism”, the statement reads.
Kh.Aminaa
