(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Irfan Bukhari / The Peninsula
Mohammed Ali Alnsour, Chief of Middle East and North Africa, Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) has said that the demand for the closure of Al Jazeera was a clear violation of international declarations on human rights.
'Demanding the closure of any media outlet by three Gulf countries was the clear violation of Article 19 and Article 20 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Violating the universal laws mean you are undermining your own commitment made with the world nations, he said while talking to The Peninsula on the sidelines of NHRC conference on freedom of expression.
He said that OHCHR office had issued two statements opposing the demand of shutting down Al Jazeera. 'We have indicated in our statements that it would establish a precedent where various parties or states, on political background and disagreements, will start demanding closing down of media outlets, he added.
Alnsour said that the demand was clear violation of right of freedom of expression. 'One can agree with the message or can have a disagreement with the content of the message but one cannot kill the messenger, he said, adding that the content of the message could be debated or discussed but the messenger could not be killed.
He said that OHCHR had communicated its concerns over the demand to the Gulf countries also apprising them about its legal implications. To a question that now the UAE had withdrawn its demand of shutting down Al Jazeera and replaced it with restructuring of the media house, he said that he was unaware of its details but he said that one thing was clear that the right of freedom of expression could not be touched in any case.
'If any country will present such demands, it will undermine its own media houses in the long run, he said. Alnsour said that the matter of media outlets' objectivity and credibility should be solely left on the audience - citizens. 'If people think that the content of any media outlet is not objective, they have the right and power to change the channel on their screens, he noted.
He said that freedom and democratic space could not be encroached in any condition. When asked about the hardships being faced by journalists due to blockade imposed on Qatar, he said: 'The harassment of journalists is an unfortunate trend in the region. UN forum has discussed this issue and we are taking steps in this regard.
Alnsour said that the reaction from international community was the security shield in cases of violation of human right of freedom of expression. 'The participation of all international organizations in this conference is a sign that all are united against curbs on media freedom and defend human rights, he said, adding that the world community would always stay one voiced to defend right of freedom of expression.
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