Doha: The International Conference on Protection of Journalists in Armed Conflicts concluded with the announcement of the Doha Declaration. HE NHRC Secretary-General Sultan bin Hassan Al Jamali expressed gratitude to the National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) and the Al Jazeera Public Liberties and Human Rights Centre (PLHRC) for their roles in the conference. Participants committed to implementing the recommendations in collaboration with various stakeholders, including governments, civil society organizations, and media institutions.
According to Qatar News Agency, Sami Al Haj, Director of PLHRC, emphasized Al Jazeera Media Network’s dedication to being a voice for the voiceless. He highlighted the network’s efforts in monitoring and documenting journalist killings and its actions in bringing cases to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Al Haj stressed the importance of holding perpetrators accountable to protect journalists and uphold truth.
Al Haj called on the international community to take immediate action to ensure journalist safety and freedom of expression. He reiterated that journalists are not adversaries but reflect reality, often risking their lives for global awareness. He affirmed the commitment to protect journalists and expressed confidence in the continued collaboration with NHRC and related organizations.
The conference’s closing session reviewed the key discussions from the two-day event, featuring notable figures such as Mohamed Krichen from Al Jazeera and Gianfranco Fattorini from the Geneva Global Media Center. Participants underscored the urgency of protecting journalists, given the dangers they face in conflict zones, and called for elevating crimes against journalists to international courts.
The session highlighted the need for an international platform to document violations against journalists and share their stories. This initiative aims to raise awareness and build public pressure for accountability and protection. Participants also emphasized strengthening cooperation among media, civil society, and human rights organizations to defend press freedom and provide support to journalists.
Concluding their remarks, participants affirmed the protection of journalists as a global humanitarian obligation and a cornerstone for peace and justice. They warned that silence on crimes against journalists threatens human freedom and the global right to truth.