Our Eroding Freedom

Freedom of speech allows us to express our opinion without any fear or any control that could be exerted by the government. It is also referred to as freedom of self-expression. Freedom of self-expression includes seeking, finding, and disseminating information through any channels. Freedom of speech is the backbone of other human rights. Without this freedom, values such as democracy, a free market, and human and social development are unfathomable.

Freedom of speech is defined first in many important documents, such as the Bill of Rights passed by the Parliament of England in 1689, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen enacted during the French Revolution in 1789, and the United Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948. Clause 16 in Article 16 of the Constitution of Mongolia states, "The citizens of Mongolia shall be guaranteed the privilege of the freedom of thought, free expression of opinion, speech, press, peaceful demonstration and meetings." However, this clause in the Constitution does not automatically ensure that every Mongolian has freedom of speech at all.

WHY IS FREEDOM OF SPEECH VITALLY IMPORTANT?

It is said that a free society develops faster than a closed society where there is no freedom of speech. Only in a free society can business and public governance continuously advance, and new ideas and creations be generated one after another.

Freedom of speech constitutes social wealth because only people with freedom can develop themselves fully. Only when voices are heard and communicated transparently, without any fear, can journalists and people reveal corruption and hold culprits accountable. In Mongolia, even ordinary members of a political party are afraid of asking their seniors where their money comes from and being pressured. They have a good idea about the source of the money, but are afraid of mentioning it.

Although every citizen has the freedom of self-expression, that freedom is restricted by the rights of others. If people use their right to speak, write, or publish something in an attempt to smear someone's reputation, they must be held responsible for their actions. Freedom of speech is critical to the press. The press must not work under the principle of non-disclosure agreement", where they get paid to stay quiet or publish a story. Even when there is an emergency, press freedom must not be restricted in a democratic country.

MONGOLIA'S VULNERABILITY TODAY

Since...