UNAMI HRO delivers a training course on freedom of opinion and expression

Erbil, Kurdistan Region - On 15 November 2018, the UNAMI Human Rights Office delivered a training course on freedom of opinion and expression, the right of assembly, and the importance of responsible journalism in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq for representatives of the media, civil society activists, members of the Kurdistan Region Independent Board of Human Rights and other professionals advocating for freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.

The course aimed to enhance the knowledge of the 21 participants about the United Nations system to protect human rights, and examined international, national, and regional laws relating to freedom of opinion and expression and the right of assembly in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Participants also learned about ethical principles for media relating to reporting on human rights violations and the role of the media in promoting public discourse in line with human rights values and principles.

UNAMI HRO Human Rights Officer Mr. Eric Husketh opened the course by noting that "freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to assembly, are critical for the protection of all other human rights". In this respect, "journalists can be considered human rights defenders, and are often in grave danger for doing this important work", he added. Ms. Huda Zangana, a participant from the Kurdistan Region Prime Minister’s media office, said “this workshop was highly relevant to our office as the application of human rights principles is at the centre of our work”, while Ms. Hawar Mohammed from the NGO Coordinating Network Organization, said that the training session was “very informative in terms of sharing knowledge and ways for raising awareness on the issues of freedom of speech in the media.”