Criminal libel conviction of blogger in Mongolia unacceptable, says OSCE Representative

VIENNA, 26 August 2014 – A Mongolian court’s sentencing of a blogger to prison for defaming a high-ranking political figure through social media is a cause for concern, the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, said today.

“Punishing libel with imprisonment is a disproportionate and unacceptable measure,” Mijatović said. “For years my Office has been advocating the decriminalization of libel in OSCE participating States as a precondition for media freedom to develop.”

On 19 August the defendant, Ts. Bat, a blogger and aviation expert, became the first person in Mongolia to be found guilty of defamation on social media. The case relates to tweets posted last year by the defendant about the Minister for Roads and Transport and the aviation sector. Bat was sentenced to three months in prison.

“Mongolia is a model country in the region in developing media freedom,” Mijatović said. “I am particularly worried about the chilling effect this might have on freedom of expression in the country.” 

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on facebook.com/osce.rfom.