Mongolian NGOs, such as the Globe International center, Youth Policy Watch and Democracy Education, and independent researcher Ts.Batsugar have launched a legal advocacy campaign around the Mongolian NGO draft law since December, 2021. One aspect of the advocacy campaign directed to influence legislators. The other goal of the campaign is awareness raising of the public on the risk if of shrinking civic space through media campaign.
As part of this work, GIC together with the above organizations formed an advocacy group and issued an open letter by launching an online petition to support the collection of public signs. So far, 922 participants have signed in support of the open letter.
As part of this advocacy campaign, a round-table discussion was held on January 6 with MP Ms.Ts.Munkhtsetseg, and J. Erkhembaatar, Legal Adviser to the General Secretary of the Mongolian Peole’s Party, a ruling party, D. Amarbayasgalan, on Draft Laws on Legal Status of Associations and Foundation which pose high risks of reducing independent operation of CSOs/ NGOs. The meeting purpose is introduce concerns of CSOs, as a result of the meeting, the stakeholders agreed that draft laws should be properly reviewed.
GIC considers that the media could play a crucial role in influencing public opinion and advocating lawmakers. Thus, another meeting involved journalists and media workers and was held on 11 January 2022 with the aim to increase journalists’ awareness. During the meeting with 1- more journalists draft laws and concerns of CSO actors were discussed. As a result, there were some media outlets that covered issues of shrinking civic space if the draft laws would be passé by the Parliament
The Parliament has postponed reviewing the drafts laws and they were not included at this spring session agenda.
Globe International center was organized “Civic Space” webinar discussion on 1 March 2022 according to the advocacy campaign. A total 36 participants including representatives of CSOs, public authorities, media journalists and students were attended. Firstly, human rights defender B.Bolorsaikhan gave speech “What is civic space and importance of Civic space” and GIC lawyer B.Purevsuren presented “Legal environment and space of civil society”, YPW executive director T.Amarzaya “Freedom of association and risk of shrinking civil society activities”. Finally researcher Ts.Batsugar presented “Government pressure on civil society and risk provisions in the draft law” to the webinar participants.
As part of the media campaign press conference was held titled “The Role of the Media in Civic Space” on 22 March 2022 at National Press Center. A total of 23 participants including media journalists and professionals attended and 13 media outlets were disseminated about the press conference. The main goal of the press conference was increased awareness to public understanding of open, free civic space and current situation and to call journalists to join the media awareness campaign and to collaborate with the CSOs advocacy activities such as NGO drafts laws.
Collaboration of CSOs advocacy team met with the General Secretary of Mongolian People Party’s D.Amarbayasgalan to present the results of the NGO's research on 23 March 2022. They also discussed the importance of the Civil Society Concept, emphasizing the importance of having a common understanding of civil society to create the necessary framework to ensure real support and stability in civil society. As a result of the meeting, the following decisions were made. The draft law on the legal status of the Association and the Foundation should not be resolved in rush. A five-member working group on legal issues of NGOs will be established under the MPP.
Mongolian CSOs generally disagree on the overall concept, not just specific provisions in the draft law. Mongolian Government and Civil Society partnership concept note developed by CSOs in 2020. Based on this concept paper, civil society organizations are working to improve the draft law on NGOs.
See the full text of the open letter at the link below.
https://www.gic.mn/public/docs/publications/2022-01-05-Open-Letter-English-Translation.pdf
