QRCS and Al Jazeera Public Liberties and Human Rights Centre officials along with others during the ceremony to honour late Al Jazeera correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh.
Doha: Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) and the Al Jazeera Public Liberties and Human Rights Centre held yesterday a regional symposium on the theme, “Journalists and Humanitarian Workers: Present Situation and Challenges.”
Held in cooperation with Al Jazeera Mubasher, the event was in celebration of the International Day of Charity. It was attended by international experts and leaders of both journalistic and humanitarian organisations. During the symposium, the late Al Jazeera correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh was honoured.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Mostefa Souag, Acting Director-General of Al Jazeera Media Network, said: “This symposium takes place on the eve of the International Day of Charity, which is celebrated by the world in order to enhance solidarity and joint action among media and charitable organizations. It plays a key role in enhancing the human dignity of victims of armed conflicts, natural disasters, and extreme poverty.”
“This symposium is a reminder of legal protection standards promulgated by international conventions and treaties of international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights. It looks at the challenges to the enforcement of such standards, given that journalists are civilians, and that attacks against them constitute war crimes, just like humanitarian aid workers,” he added.
Ali bin Hassan Al Hammadi, Secretary-General of QRCS, said: “This symposium tackles a very important topic for those concerned with humanitarian action, human rights and IHL: shedding light on the violations threatening the safety and lives of journalists and field relief workers. It seeks also to re-emphasise the importance of compliance with the standards and warranties stipulated in international instruments and conventions to ensure the legal protection of journalists and humanitarian workers in conflict and/or disaster zones.”
Dr. Omar Makki, Regional Adviser for IHL for the Middle East and North Africa at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said: “It is crucial for IHL and Geneva Conventions to protect and respect journalists reporting news and relief workers delivering humanitarian aid so long as they are not engaged in hostilities.”
Mamadou Sow, Head of ICRC Regional Delegation in GCC, said: “This is an attempt to understand the challenges to the protection of civilians at times of war. We can see specific characteristics on the field. Conflicts are very complex and involve many actors and variables. Many conflicts are regional.”
Dr. Younis Al Khatib, President of Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) gave examples of restrictions on the personnel of PRCS and other humanitarian organisations, as well as the tragedies revealed by psychological support programmes that treat civilians affected by human rights violations. “All protected groups, including journalists, relief workers, and civilians, are especially protected against attack under the legal framework of IHL, the Hague Conventions, and human rights law,” he explained.
