Standing for Press Freedom: An Invitation to the Doha Conference

The Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties and Human Rights, in cooperation with the National Human Rights Committee in Qatar, will host the International Conference on the Protection of Journalists in Armed Conflict on 8–9 October 2025 at Al Majlis Hall, Sheraton Doha Hotel, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

This landmark gathering aims to mobilize international efforts to protect journalists working amid the devastation of war and political unrest. With the Gaza Strip at the heart of global concern, the conference will address the unprecedented targeting of media professionals in conflict zones and the urgent need to establish binding accountability mechanisms. Participants will include representatives from international organizations, legal experts, media professionals, and human rights defenders dedicated to defending press freedom and ending impunity for crimes against journalists.

The sessions will explore practical frameworks for the investigation and prosecution of violations against journalists, focusing on strengthening international humanitarian law protections and ensuring state responsibility for attacks on the press. Delegates will discuss the critical role of documentation, digital evidence, and advocacy in pursuing justice for victims of war crimes against media workers. By uniting diverse global perspectives, the conference seeks to transform the protection of journalists from aspiration into enforceable action.

The event underscores Qatar’s ongoing commitment to advancing human rights and media safety at the international level, aligning with Al Jazeera’s continued advocacy for the rights of journalists who risk their lives to report from conflict areas. In the face of mounting violence against the press, particularly in Gaza, this initiative stands as a call to defend truth, ensure accountability, and reaffirm that journalism is not a crime.

Reference – 

https://www.nhrc-qa.org/events/23