Ulaanbaatar
Discussion on revised law on Offence to continue
Politics
Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ On April 27, Thursday, Parliament held the first discussion on the controversial revised law on Offence, and the discussion will continue today, Friday.
The revised law sparked controversy and media protest as Member of Parliament Ts.Garamjav made a proposition to increase fine for defamation of character clause reflected in the revised law 5 times which was given a nod during the meeting of Parliamentary Standing committee on Legal Affairs on April 25. Looking at MNT 10 million fine for individuals and MNT 100 million fine for legal entities, Mongolian media outlets protested the clause, successfully garnering public attention over the issue.
President Ts.Elbegdorj attended the Parliament’s Thursday session to call for dropping the defamation clause from the revised law; and with Member of Parliament Ts.Garamjav having officially withdrawn her proposition, fine for defamation of character stands at MNT 2 million for persons and MNT 20 million for entities.
Number of Members of Parliament expressed their views on the revised law on Offence during the plenary session including Member of Parliament D.Sarangerel and M.Oyunchimeg who defended press freedom. “There’s a clause about not adopting laws that violate freedom of speech in Law of Mongolia on Freedom of Press. The defamation clause should be dropped”, said MP M.Oyunchimeg who is a journalist by profession.
S.Byambatsogt, Minister of Justice and Home Affairs pointed out that about 1400 defamation cases have been registered since 1995, and 50 percent of these cases involve journalists. “The defamation clause doesn’t only concern journalists”, he contradicted.
Moreover, MPs J.Ganbaatar, D.Togtokhsuren and J.Batzandan criticized the big amount of fine to be imposed on individuals and entities, saying “There should be notices and warnings before taking measures such as charging a big sum or arresting”. Aside from the defamation clause, the revised law on Offence reflects heavy fines such as MNT 100 million for other offences. Justice Minister S.Byambatsogt clarified that the fine will be imposed on offences related to customs, national resources, public interest and more.
The first discussion of the revised law on Offence will continue today.
The revised law sparked controversy and media protest as Member of Parliament Ts.Garamjav made a proposition to increase fine for defamation of character clause reflected in the revised law 5 times which was given a nod during the meeting of Parliamentary Standing committee on Legal Affairs on April 25. Looking at MNT 10 million fine for individuals and MNT 100 million fine for legal entities, Mongolian media outlets protested the clause, successfully garnering public attention over the issue.
President Ts.Elbegdorj attended the Parliament’s Thursday session to call for dropping the defamation clause from the revised law; and with Member of Parliament Ts.Garamjav having officially withdrawn her proposition, fine for defamation of character stands at MNT 2 million for persons and MNT 20 million for entities.
Number of Members of Parliament expressed their views on the revised law on Offence during the plenary session including Member of Parliament D.Sarangerel and M.Oyunchimeg who defended press freedom. “There’s a clause about not adopting laws that violate freedom of speech in Law of Mongolia on Freedom of Press. The defamation clause should be dropped”, said MP M.Oyunchimeg who is a journalist by profession.
S.Byambatsogt, Minister of Justice and Home Affairs pointed out that about 1400 defamation cases have been registered since 1995, and 50 percent of these cases involve journalists. “The defamation clause doesn’t only concern journalists”, he contradicted.
Moreover, MPs J.Ganbaatar, D.Togtokhsuren and J.Batzandan criticized the big amount of fine to be imposed on individuals and entities, saying “There should be notices and warnings before taking measures such as charging a big sum or arresting”. Aside from the defamation clause, the revised law on Offence reflects heavy fines such as MNT 100 million for other offences. Justice Minister S.Byambatsogt clarified that the fine will be imposed on offences related to customs, national resources, public interest and more.
The first discussion of the revised law on Offence will continue today.
Kh.Aminaa
