Doha - information office -December 09
The State of Qatar took part in the High-Level Ministerial Meeting held on the sidelines of the World Press Freedom Conference (WPFC 2020) which is hosted by the Kingdom of the Netherlands in cooperation with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The State of Qatar was represented at the meeting by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi.
In a recorded speech to the meeting, HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs reiterated the commitment of the State of Qatar to promoting and protecting the right to the freedom of expression, and to ensuring a safe environment for free, independent and pluralistic media, as well as the safety of journalists, and the accountability for crimes as agreed upon in various United Nations resolutions and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, especially Article 16.
HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs said that the State of Qatar is honored to have an effective role in developing the freedom of media, contribute to supporting the changes the world is witnessing in technology and media, and define freedom for individuals.
Based on the State of Qatar's steadfast bet on the political and societal awareness of the people of the State of Qatar, it has recognized the right of its citizens to know the whole truth, based on Article 48 of the Qatari Constitution, which guarantees the freedom of the press, printing and publishing in accordance with the law, HE added.
He noted that Qatar's participation in the meeting stems from the firm belief of the State of Qatar and its wise leadership in the importance of freedom of the press and expression, in order to preserve human rights and empower an international community that is responsible and aware of the developments and events that take place in the world, and capable of understanding and supporting the truth.
HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs underlined that promoting media freedom and the right of the press is an essential part of achieving the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, which the State of Qatar supports in its internal and foreign policies.
He noted that the State of Qatar has made distinguished efforts to improve the freedom of expression and protect human rights in all areas, including hosting the international conference on "Social Media: Challenges and Ways to Promote Freedoms and Protect Activists", which was organized by the National Human Rights Committee in 2019, in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the European Parliament, the International Federation of Journalists, and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.
HE the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs stressed that the State of Qatar has been one of the most supportive countries of journalists through the Doha Declaration on Freedom of Journalists, which it launched in 2016 with the aim to support journalists and media professionals in the region in particular, and the world at large.