NHRC Deputy Chairman Says Freedom of Expression Crucial for Human Rights

 

 

Doha, May 03 (QNA) - HE Deputy Chairman of the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) Dr. Mohammad bin Saif Al Kuwari affirmed that freedom of expression is one of the most important indicators of a civilized society and its respect for human rights, noting the important changes witnessed in the last decade in the press industry, especially in light of the proliferation of independent media and the emergence of digital technologies that allow the free flow of information over the Internet.

  On the occasion of this year's World Press Freedom Day under the slogan "Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights," Al Kuwari considered that this year's celebration is special as it marks the 30th anniversary since its proclamation in 1993 and is a global occasion celebrated by human rights defenders.

    He explained that despite the freedom of the press, the safety of journalists and the freedom of expression are increasingly exposed to many threats, which affects the granting of the remaining human rights, especially given that the international community is facing multiple crises, conflicts, environmental crises, and challenges to people's health and livelihoods the world over. He added that misinformation is spreading online and elsewhere, greatly affecting the democratic and human rights institutions, in addition to spreading hate speech in society.

    Al Kuwari said that NHRC has undertaken numerous initiatives in its second founding decade to protect journalists and ensure their safety, developing best practices in freedom of expression and countering incitement and hate speech. He added that a case in point would be the fact that NHRC organized the first international conference of its kind in the Middle East on the protection of journalists in dangerous situations, and the role of the media in raising awareness of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

    NHRC Deputy Chairman said that in March 2012, the Committee launched an award after Al Jazeera cameraman Ali Hassan Al Jaber, who was martyred on duty during the outbreak of the Libyan uprising in 2011. The launch of the award coincided with the Arab Human Rights Day, out of its belief that freedom of expression is the foundation of human rights, pointing out that NHRC hosted in September 2015 the 3rd "Arab Ibero-American Dialogue of National Human Rights Institutions" on combating hate speech and extremism, with the participation of more than fifty national institutions from the Americas and the Arab region, in addition to representatives of regional, European, Asian and African networks, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and others.

    He explained that the conference aimed to deepen the dialogue on issues of combating hate speech and intolerance and formulating a comprehensive approach to tackle them.

    Al Kuwari also noted that among NHRC's most important initiatives was organizing an international conference on "Freedom of Expression: Facing Up to the Threat", which called for the drawing up of an agreement on the safety of media professionals, which could be negotiated within the framework of the United Nations General Assembly.

    NHRC Deputy Chairman called for working on clear regulations, legislation, and standards in this regard, in addition to eradicating digital illiteracy, training civil society actors on social media use, in addition to securing legal aid for journalists related to freedom of expression, and strengthening the process of implementing respect for journalists' rights and ethics.

    Al Kuwari explained that all these initiatives undertaken by the committee since its establishment were based on its belief in the centrality of the freedom of expression in the realization of human rights and the primacy of the right to freedom of expression, stipulated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as a prerequisite and a driver for enjoying all of the other human rights. (QNA)