President of International Eurasia Press Fund (IEPF) Umud Mirzayev participated at the international conference in Doha, Qatar. The event on “Freedom of Expression: Facing Up to the Threat” was co-organized by the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar, International Federation of Journalists and International Press Institute.
The two-day event’s main purpose is to draw attention of the world community, civil society organizations, state and inter-state agents to the violence done against journalists and their safe operation and to deepen co-operation and interaction mechanisms. At the event, security of journalists- challenges and successful practices, protection of journalists, press freedom, co-operation perspectives of media and international human rights organizations and other issues are discussed. During discussion, serious concern on increasing parallel threats stemming from journalists increasing professionalism in a globalized world was expressed. During the first day of his trip, president of IEPF took part in discussions and held some meetings.
Mr. Umud Mirzayev held fruitful talks with executive director of Al-Jazeera Media Network Mustafa Souj, director of Public Liberties and Human Rights Center of Al-Jazeera Media Network Sami al-Haj, a well-known journalist of Bangladesh and one of the founders of Chandpur Press Club Shah Mohammed Maksudul, the member of UN Geneva office Commission on Media Freedom in Africa Fatsal Ourguergouz, and a program manager of Pen America James Tager.
At these meetings, Mr. Mirzayev said that decisions which are taken by international organizations to media bodies and countries with double standards are considered to create dissatisfaction. Alongside this, he stated the significance of taking a step for broadening associative relations between international organizations and media bodies for application of UN resolution and preparation of implementation mechanisms.During the event, important issues like development of legal base with an aim of strengthening media freedom, continuation of events with state bodies’ representatives on training and awareness in the direction of elimination of impunity, preparation of operation mechanisms for positive solution of media freedom and journalists security issues in line with UNESCO’s special mandate will be discussed. At the event, heads and representatives of UNESCO, ICRC, UN Training Center on Human Rights, International Press Institute, Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists/ Committee to Protect Journalists, UN Press Release Company, Human Rights Watch and other several well-known organizations participated. IEPF president met with an Ambassador of Azerbaijan in Qatar Tofig Abdullayev. During the meeting, views were exchanged on strengthening of joint efforts of civil society organizations with international media bodies and institutions with an aim of recognition of Azerbaijan and strengthening of international relations.