During its plenary session on June 18, Parliament discussed the revision of the Law on Culture submitted by the government.
The bill provides for state inspectors to monitor the implementation of cultural legislation at all levels.
The bill initiators believe that within the framework of defining and protecting the unique nature of Mongolian culture, the state must provide special support to guide cultural activities, expand cultural studies and cultural education, regulate the registration and evaluation of cultural values, develop foreign cooperation, and partner in the cultural sector, and all forms of development and promotion of cultural products and services must be provided.
Lawmaker G.Munkhtsetseg said that the bill is unique in that it addresses the issue of cultural heritage registration, and it includes the establishment of a cultural registration database and its digitalization.
Stressing that tangible and intangible cultural heritage needs to be registered, Minister of Culture Ch.Nomin said, “The work of e-registration system has begun. In this context, the draft revision provides for the registration of Mongolia’s historical and cultural heritage in foreign countries, the promotion of the country through them, and its repatriation to Mongolia.”
Legislator N.Uchral noted that the regulations in the bill are not in line with the Law on Copyright and Related Rights and Law on Economic Circulation of Intellectual Properties.
The minister of culture responded that Article 33 of the bill regulates the economic circulation in the cultural sector, and the ministry defined priorities and is working to put the cultural heritages into economic circulation.
She also noted that cultural units were established under local mayors in order to ensure the reach of cultural policy in provinces and soums.
During the session, Parliament supported to discuss amendments to the Law on Government Special Funds and Law on Science and Technology, and transferred them to the relevant standing committee for preparation.
REPORT ON SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Parliament reviewed the 19th and 20th reports on the situation of human rights and freedoms in Mongolia.
Member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) J.Khunan presented the reports, while parliamentarian B.Enkhbayar introduced the proposals and conclusions of the Standing Committee on Justice.
The 19th report includes issues related to the right to freedom from violence, sexual and reproductive health and rights, the implementation of the Law on Gender Equality, the protection of toxic and hazardous chemicals and International Human Rights Index.
In accordance with Articles 9 and 17 of the Law on National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia, 23 proposals were submitted to Parliament for discussion and decision.
The 20th report was developed in six sub-chapters and 29 issues, and 40 recommendations were made. It provides for the situation of the right to life and liberty; the rights of the target group, civil and political rights, freedoms, economic, social and cultural rights; the right to work of public servants; the social and economic situation of assistant herders; and the
implementation of human rights.
In connection with the introduction, lawmaker J.Sukhbaatar said, “Every case in this report is real. We have a lot of work to do in this area, but the NHRC alone is not enough to do that. There are facts that the conditions of assistant herders are very difficult and the income of people with disabilities is cut off. In the future, the government needs to work in line with the report and Parliament should pay attention to this issue.”
Legislator B.Byeisen expressed his views on the labor rights of doctors, health workers, police, emergency and specialized inspection agencies, their workload, salaries, bonuses, incentives, provision of protective clothing and equipment, health and social security.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament T.Ayuursaikhan emphasized that the government needs to address the issue of children who are unable to take the general entrance exam due to COVID-19 infection.
J.Khunan said that the commission plans to monitor human rights in the health and education sectors this year, and that the NHRC called on the minister of education to address the issue of children who are unable to take the general entrance exam.
COMPOSITION OF SOME STANDING COMMITTEES CHANGED
During the session, a draft resolution on changing the composition of some standing committees was passed. In accordance with the resolution, lawmaker Ts.Munkhtsetseg was exempted from the Standing Committee on Innovation and e-Policy, and the newly-elected President U.Khurelsukh and Minister of Education, Science and Sports L.Enkh-Amgalan were exempted from the Standing Committee on State Structure.
Legislators J.Erdenebat and Ts.Munkhtsetseg were appointed as member of the Standing Committee on State Structure.
