Freedom of expression training takes place in Dohuk

This training course, which took place on 12 – 13 November, was entitled Freedom of Opinion and Expression and its Role in Promoting Reconciliation, Harmony and the Protection of Human Rights for Journalists & Media Workers in Kurdistan Region – Iraq.



The two-day training course was intended to enhance the knowledge of journalists and media workers about the United Nations human rights protection system and mechanisms and laws relating to freedom of opinion and expression in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The course also examined 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.

Twenty-nine (29) participants (13 women and 16 men), including journalists, media workers and civil society activists in the field of human rights and freedom of expression participated in the training, representing newspapers, TV channels, radio stations and news websites in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Mr. Hemn Mamand a freelancer stated “raising awareness about human rights values and violations by journalists leads to building healthy and productive social members, for it is media that mainly shapes the way people think in the world today.”

On his side, Mr. Hazhar Anwar a Reporter with KNN TV highly described the content of the course as being timely: “Kurdish society is desperately in need of embracing the values and principles highlighted in this course. Both journalists and audiences have to adopt the notional interpretations of human rights in order to get along with international media standards while addressing varieties of violations and values.”