Working group’s processed draft law on Parliament procedures has been approved to discussion by 82.5% and MPs’ processed draft law on same item has been approved by 87.5% at the session on January 13.

Parliament of Mongolia has not decided by majority to amend law that has been passed before 13 days in its two decades history but MPs resolved to amend law on Parliament procedures to declare media freedom.

Law on Parliament procedures has been passed by 81% approval on December 30, 2010 and is followed from January 1, 2011. That is why parliamentary journalists struggle for media freedom because the Standing Committees’ meetings were in closed principle and journalists who have been worked for five years could report parliament activity while the provision has violated the Constitution.

According to the Speaker’s order, working group established to amend law on Parliament procedures. Besides, MPs S.Erdene, Ts.Sedvanchig have submitted draft law on Parliament procedures that to open the Standing Committees’ meeting.

MPs hotly disputed draft law including closed meeting definition. The Chief of Parliament’s Office, Ts.Sharavdormj, explained closed meeting could be in two cases:                                            
Firstly, the Standing Committees and Parliament united session is closed when discuss issue relating to the state secret.   

 Secondly, in the case if MP would suggest procedure opinion, majority would approve it meeting could be closed.

He added that protocol of closed meeting is considered on secret category so information should not be transmitted. But Standing Committees’ meetings’ could not be counted as closed meeting because Chief of the Standing Committee inform about decision after meeting. Also minority of the meeting could state their position to media. Not journalists only but citizens could introduce the meeting protocol.

But S.Erdene, who has initiated draft law, differently explained that law is violated in limit of public participation to close Standing Committees’ meetings while closed meeting’s indication is definite. Open meetings show MPs position in the discussed issue but official to inform prepared data from closed door could not considered on open meeting.