President of Mongolia vetoes controversial social media law
"Law to protect human rights on social media" was strongly opposed by members of the public for potentially threatening freedom of expression
Spokesperson of the President of Mongolia, Ulziibayariin Zolbayar announced on his social media that the President of Mongolia has decided to veto the controversial “Law to protect human rights on social networks”. He says that the office will make a public statement regarding the decision on Monday.
Photo: Spokesperson of the President’s office Ulziibayariin Zolbayar announces on his twitter that the President has decided to veto the law.
The veto means that the law which has a potential to seriously violate basic human rights will return to Parliament for a second discussion, but will still be subject to the Parliament to be completely annulled.
According to Narantsetseg Batsaikhan, CEO of Fidelitas Partners LLP, “The fact that the President has vetoed the law in its entirety means that the amendments to the four other laws are also vetoed. Now it’s up to the Speaker of Parliament Gombojaviin Zandanshatar to declare an irregular Parliamentary session”.
Us, at the Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO thanks our partners and friends, you, for your support to help us raise awareness and to help us lead the advocacy process in and out of Mongolia.
We ask you to continue your support as this is only one of many victories we need. Mongolia’s Parliament will convene to discuss the President’s veto and can decide whether to accept or to reject the veto. The law shall remain in force unless two thirds of the members of the Parliament present in the session accept the President's veto.
Some useful resources:
Thank you to Rappler and SPJ and the Freedom on the net for taking this issue into your attention and sharing our concerns with your community.
Here’s an interview with the SPJ
Here's a newsletter by the Society of Professional Journalists in the US
If you are wondering what law I am talking about, here’s the First issue of this newsletter, where you can get an overview.
We have finally gotten hold of the official final version of the law. And here’s the official translation.
With help from lawyers, we are building a position paper, and a tentative translation of the position paper can be accessed here.