Opening Remarks by Ms. Beate Trankmann UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia
2016/04/28
UPR recommendations on Freedoms of Opinion and Expression
Briefing for Diplomatic and International Organizations
Briefing for Diplomatic and International Organizations
27 April 2016
UN House
UN House
Opening Remarks by Ms. Beate Trankmann UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia
Mr.Bilegdorj, Deputy Director, Department International Legal Affairs, Ministry of Foreign AffairsMs.Naranjargal, President of GIC
Representatives of the International Community,
Distinguished Guests,
Representatives of the International Community,
Distinguished Guests,
Good Afternoon
I am very pleased to welcome you to today’s briefing on the recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review — the so-called UPR — concerning freedom of expression and opinions in Mongolia. With World Press Freedom Day 7 days away, this discussion in fact couldn’t be more timely.
Free, diverse and independent media have the power to transform societies and are an essential pillar of functioning democracies. Access to information is critical to inform the political decision making process and ensure transparency. Open societies help empower individuals to take control of their destinies and to transform their lives. And they foster economic growth as investors are orienting their capital towards environments where media freedom is respected and information is easily available and accessible.
Mongolia has been making a steady progress in enhancing media freedom. According to the World Press Freedom Index, its ranking improved from 98 in 2013 to 54 in 2015. 2016 however saw a small regression with Mongolia dropping to 60th position out of 180 countries. The main factor behind this dip is the increased use of provisions in the law criminalizing defamation, which led to a jump in lawsuits against journalists and the blockage of websites - citing pejorative content as a reason.
Mongolia has been making a steady progress in enhancing media freedom. According to the World Press Freedom Index, its ranking improved from 98 in 2013 to 54 in 2015. 2016 however saw a small regression with Mongolia dropping to 60th position out of 180 countries. The main factor behind this dip is the increased use of provisions in the law criminalizing defamation, which led to a jump in lawsuits against journalists and the blockage of websites - citing pejorative content as a reason.
The same issues were raised by member states at the second UPR round for Mongolia last May.
As you may know - established in 2006 by the UN Human rights Council, the UPR is one of the most recent human rights tools of the United Nations. Based on objective and verified information, it aims to assess the human rights situation of all 193 UN Member States through a cooperative and interactive dialogue involving government and non-government actors as well as national human rights institutions. The UPR provides an opportunity for member states to undertake national assessments of their human rights situation, evaluate challenges and constraints, identify capacity and resource requirements and define the national human rights agenda to reiterate their commitment to promoting and protecting human rights at national and international levels.
In the case of Mongolia, a total of 164 recommendations were made by the member states through the second UPR review of which Mongolia accepted 150. Out of these, 8 recommendations were about freedom of expression and opinions. Member states called on Mongolia to harmonize its national legislation with the internationally recognized instruments of human rights. They also recommended to decriminalize defamation and to put in place safeguard measures to protect journalists, their sources and whistle blowers.
I am confident that Mongolia will put great efforts in ensuring that human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled in the country. Mongolia has recently been elected as a member to the UN Human Rights Council and ranks among the highest in the Asia-Pacific region both in terms of acceptance and the implementation status of the recommendations given by the Council according to UPR-Info — the international NGO that supports implementation of UPR recommendations.
As you may know - established in 2006 by the UN Human rights Council, the UPR is one of the most recent human rights tools of the United Nations. Based on objective and verified information, it aims to assess the human rights situation of all 193 UN Member States through a cooperative and interactive dialogue involving government and non-government actors as well as national human rights institutions. The UPR provides an opportunity for member states to undertake national assessments of their human rights situation, evaluate challenges and constraints, identify capacity and resource requirements and define the national human rights agenda to reiterate their commitment to promoting and protecting human rights at national and international levels.
In the case of Mongolia, a total of 164 recommendations were made by the member states through the second UPR review of which Mongolia accepted 150. Out of these, 8 recommendations were about freedom of expression and opinions. Member states called on Mongolia to harmonize its national legislation with the internationally recognized instruments of human rights. They also recommended to decriminalize defamation and to put in place safeguard measures to protect journalists, their sources and whistle blowers.
I am confident that Mongolia will put great efforts in ensuring that human rights are respected, protected and fulfilled in the country. Mongolia has recently been elected as a member to the UN Human Rights Council and ranks among the highest in the Asia-Pacific region both in terms of acceptance and the implementation status of the recommendations given by the Council according to UPR-Info — the international NGO that supports implementation of UPR recommendations.
The UN stands ready to support Mongolia in fulfilling its commitments to improve human rights. Assisting the UPR follow-up is a priority for us. The UN agencies implement a wide range of activities with our partners from the Government and civil society pertaining to strengthening legislative and policy frameworks and developing capacities for the effective protection of human rights in the country. Improving normative protection mechanisms and putting in place monitoring mechanisms to safeguard the rights of especially the poor and marginalized populations will be a focus of our new 5-year Development Assistance Framework.
We know that the Government has already started working on actioning the UPR recommendations. We commend the Government for recently approving the UPR Implementation Action Plan. And we look forward to working with all of you in ensuring that human rights are respected in Mongolia.
I would like to thank you for your participation. I would also like to express my appreciation to the Globe International Center for organizing this event and salute you for being a prominent advocate for freedom of opinion and expression in Mongolia.
Thank you.
We know that the Government has already started working on actioning the UPR recommendations. We commend the Government for recently approving the UPR Implementation Action Plan. And we look forward to working with all of you in ensuring that human rights are respected in Mongolia.
I would like to thank you for your participation. I would also like to express my appreciation to the Globe International Center for organizing this event and salute you for being a prominent advocate for freedom of opinion and expression in Mongolia.
Thank you.