To raise public awareness on free press, freedoms of speech and expression, GIC organized a multi stakeholder conference on 27 May, 2023. A total of 66 stakeholders attended including public officials, media, journalists, CSOs and academia. The conference aimed to provide a platform for multi-faceted discussions based on research and case studies. The consultation discussed the potential risks of criminalizing defamation, international standards of freedom of speech, and how the current laws on violations affect journalists and media workers. GIC sent the official invitation and request to participate as a speaker to the public authorities including MOJHA, Parliament Standing Committee, and NHRC in the conference.
The following topics were presented during the conference.
- S.Gantulga MOJHA, Member of the Criminal Law Revision Working Group presented the topic of “The social dangers of insulting”,
- L.Galbaatar, Lawyer and Researcher presented under the topic of Draft article 13.15 to be added to the Criminal Code (Insult) and features of national legal regulation.
The next session was discussion, and a total six panelists including representatives of MOJHA, MCM, GIC, Lawyer, Journalist, attended in the discussion.
Panelists:
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S.Gantulga
MOJHA, Member of the Criminal Law Revision Working Group
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B.
Bolorsaikhan, Head of the National Human Rights Committee, Cabinet Secretariat of Government
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Kh.Naranjargal, Head of Board, GIC
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G.Gunjidmaa, MCM
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L.Galbaatar, Lawyer and Researcher
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B.Erdenechimeg, Editor of Gogo.mn
GIC disseminated the translated handbook that highlighted ‘The “misuse” of the judicial system to attack freedom of expression: trends, challenges and responses” during the conference.
The project Advisory team brainstormed to the selection of translation handbook and decided to translate “The “misuse” of the judicial system to attack freedom of expression: trends, challenges and responses” handbook by Unesco, 2022. The handbook is developed on the according to international law, criminal sanctions to expression should only be applied very exceptionally and as a last resort, in the most severe cases, such as those involving incitement to hatred.
An advisor Kh.Naranjargal translated the handbook and edited by L.Galbaatar. The handbook printed out before the Multistakeholder meeting and produced to the participants on 27 June, 2023. A total of 200 pieces of handbook printed out and e-version uploaded in the www.gic.mn website. The link is bellowed.