Qatar’s caring

16 Mar, 2009  Gov, Random

jeff-koons-heartQatar’s taking some giant leaps when it comes to the environment and freedom of speech. I think it’s great that the government and other institutions are starting to become more aware and better yet, trying to spread awareness.

We’re also seeing the Human Rights Authority becoming more proactive, the Ministry of Business and Trade suspending companies for breaking rules, the Traffic Authority advertising road safety campaigns, and companies like Qatar Airways focusing on going green.

What I do hope though is that this is not just a ‘fad’ and that those involved will not end up becoming hypocrits. This is, put simply, a case of ‘practice what you preach’.

Here’s some news:
Media urged to be objective

Transactions of 148 firms suspended

 Hotline set up to combat human trafficking

 Traffic Week to focus on cellphone use risks

Green building meet from March 17

Anyway, I was just pleased to see such positive change!

On a side note, if you want to get all the latest news (from Gulf Times, The Peninsula, and others) in one easy spot just subscribe to the Qatar News Twitter feed!

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Freedom of Expression

    Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which the Qatari Government is a signatory of states: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any medias and regardless of any frontiers.

    The Emiri Decision Number 86 of the year 2007 on the establishment of the Doha Free Information Centre marked yet another step towards establishing a State of rights and freedom of speech. The decision stipulated that the Centre be a non-profit organization, headquartered in Doha City, and have the authority to establish other affiliated centres inside and outside Qatar. It is worth mentioning that His Highness the Emir issued a decision in 1998 annulling the ministry of information, giving birth to a new era of freedom of speech where censorship was removed from local media.