The International Conference on Social Media: Challenges and Ways to Promote Freedoms and Protect Activists kicked off in Doha yesterday, bringing together more than 500 delegates from several countries.
With the participation of different universities, think tanks, journalists’ unions, and officials from the European Parliament, UN agencies and social media networks, the two-day conference serves as a key platform to highlight some of the most significant concerns and challenges in social media use such as online freedom of speech and the role of social media influencers and activists.
Under the auspices of HE Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, the International Conference on "Social Media: Challenges and Ways to Promote Freedoms and Protect Activists" kicks off, organized by the National Human Rights Committee. #QNA
— Qatar News Agency (@QNAEnglish) February 16, 2020
Qatar’s National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) has organized the conference in conjunction with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the European Parliament, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).
Speaking at the opening session of the high-level conference, the NHRC Chairman emphasized the importance of freedom of expression to maintain stability and ensure peace.
“Restrictions on individual liberties neither bring stability nor establish peace. Furthermore, ways to achieve prosperity, development, and democracy are only possible when freedom is realized in a way that would allow expression, criticism, and creativity,” he said.
“We demand a global declaration to protect social media activists,” the NHRC Chairman added.
#ICRD On Board of the International Conference on #SocialMedia Challenges and Ways to promote #Freedoms and Protect Activists in Doha, will look into tools and mechanisms to protect users and look at regulatory measures. pic.twitter.com/caRifzg5LQ
— ICRD UK (@IcrdUk) February 16, 2020
This proclamation will underline “civic space and protection of activists” as a significant issue of international concern that must be considered when developing new human rights agreements, or holding global dialogues, he pointed out.
His Excellency Dr Al Marri highlighted that this conference is hugely important to review the use of social media in promoting and protecting human rights and also looking at the ways this is restricted by certain policies, among other challenges.
سعادة الدكتور علي بن صميخ المري، رئيس اللجنة الوطنية لحقوق الإنسان يطالب بإعلان عالمي لحماية نشطاء التواصل الاجتماعي.
— حقوق الانسان-قطر (@QATARNHRC) February 16, 2020
سعادة الدكتور علي بن صميخ: نطالب حين يتم تطوير أو اعتماد جديد لاتفاقيات حقوق الإنسان بأهمية توسيع الفضاء المدني وحماية النشطاء.#حقوق_الإنسان_قطر pic.twitter.com/HoguiA6L8l
As important as social media is in advancing human rights, the NHRC Chairman pointed out there are certain dangers associated with it, such as spreading rumors, inciting hate speech, slander, abuse of freedoms and dignity of others and other illegal or criminal activities.
He said the conference would address these pressing issues and ways to tackle them.
--
Make sure to check out our social media to keep track of the latest content.
Instagram - @qatarliving
Twitter - @qatarliving
Facebook - Qatar Living
%20(1).png&w=1007&q=75)