Conference: “Freedom of Expression is a Human Right”

Baghdad 17 Dec 2011 - Council of Representatives

UNESCO IRAQ, UN HRO and HRC

The Communication and Information Sector at UNESCO Iraq Office held a one day conference entitled “Freedom of Expression is a Human Right” on 17 December 2011 at the Iraqi Parliament Headquarters. This event was organized in collaboration with the Human Rights Office of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI HRO) and the Iraqi parliamentary Human Rights Committee led by its chairman Mr Saleem Al-Jbori.

More than 150 guests attended the one day gathering which featured speeches from one international expert and several Iraqi specialists from the field of media and human rights. The conferees included members of parliament, civil society organizations, members of the media, Iraqi human rights advocates Iraq-based NGOs and foreign missions in Baghdad.

The conference was opened by the Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, in which he welcomed the initiative of UNESCO, UN HRO and the parliamentarian Human Rights Committee to hold such an event.

OHCHR Representative Francesco Motta delivered a welcome note on behalf of the SRSG, stressing on the human rights of all Iraqis to freedom expression. UNESCO IRAQ Office Director Mohamed Djelid said in his address that one of the main tasks of UNESCO in Iraq was to support freedom of expression highlighting the role social media played in the Arab Spring.

The Communication and Information Sector at UNESCO Iraq Office sought through this conference, to bring under the spotlight the intention of the Iraqi parliament to pass draft legislation curbing freedom of expression and right of assembly. The draft legislation is stipulating incriminating those who break the law thus primarily targeting journalists, writers, bloggers and also anyone who dare voice their opinion if not in agreement with the government.

UNESCO and its partners succeeded in significantly raising the awareness of parliamentarians in particular and the public in general to the perils of this draft legislation being adopted as law. The Iraqi parliament or Council of Representatives has already had its first reading of the draft legislation restricting freedom of expression and right of peaceful assembly, and the second reading will follow in the New Year.

A copy of the draft legislation was made available to the attendees, and the discussions dealt with specific articles that were seen to be in violation of the human rights of Iraqi citizens. Many parliamentarians vowed to vote against the draft legislation and pledged to continue the work of the conference within their constituencies, by raising awareness to the plight of a nation without the human right of freedom of expression.

It was decided that a steering Committee will be set up to follow closely the route the parliament will take in the near future vis-a-vis freedom of expression.