Qatar: NHRC to host conference on protection of journalists

The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) recently hosted an international conference on the protection of journalists, drawing together around 100 participants from media groups, international agencies and other organisations attended the conference.

Dr Ali Ben Smaikh Al-Marri, NHRC chairman, said it was imperative to organise such a conference given the high number of incidents of harassment and violence against journalists in 2011.

“The National Human Rights Committee is watching, with concern, the clear and serious abuses against journalists that affect their rights to live and be safe that are happening around the world in hazardous areas and areas of conflicts,” he told delegates at the opening of the two-day conference.

“The practice of persecution of journalists is not limited to political systems as it was in the past. Gangs and organised crime groups are now engaged in terrorism and persecution of journalists.”

Dr Al-Marri said that the issue was becoming more important, especially as political, economic and social conditions escalate in various spots around the world. Therefore, the conference should focus its efforts on building “stronger mechanism to act as a shield against any targeting of journalists.”

Held on 22-23 January 2012, participants assessed the risks that journalists are exposed to during the course of their work and discussed steps to develop an international mechanism and standards to protect them when reporting during periods of internal unrest and military conflict.

Dr Al-Marri also announced the establishment of an annual award, named in honour of the late Ali Hasan al-Jaber, former Head of Photography at Al Jazeera, who was killed while covering events in Libya in 2011.

The NHRC award may be granted to any media person or human right activist from any Arab or non-Arab country.

Date: 26 January 2012

Source: Gulf Times