The College of Mass Communication at the University of Baghdad, in cooperation with the Hammurabi Organization for Human Rights, organized a scientific seminar titled “Human Rights: Purpose and Equality,” held at Al-Hurriya Hall, with the participation of the Dean of the College, Prof. Dr. Ammar Taher, the Vice President of the Organization, William Warda, and a number of faculty members and students from the Department of Digital Journalism.
The seminar aimed to promote the culture of minority rights and the rights of persons with disabilities, as part of the academic and societal responsibility to support principles of justice and equality, and to reinforce values of diversity and human coexistence.
The seminar comprised two main sessions. The first session was presented by Dr. Hashem Hasan Al-Tamimi, Professor of Media Philosophy, who delivered a research paper titled “The Role of Mass Media in Supporting the Guarantees of Minority Rights.” He highlighted the importance of precise media concepts in representing social components in a way that reflects their history and culture. He emphasized the necessity for media institutions to play an active role in promoting a culture of rights and combating marginalization through educational curricula, responsible governmental communication, and ethical media content.
Dr. Al-Tamimi also stressed the need to develop national media strategies supporting integration and citizenship, reinforce codes of ethics obliging media institutions to neutrality and respect for diversity, train journalists on sensitive coverage of minority issues, and support digital content produced by minority groups.
The second session was presented by Dr. Kamal Mohammed Sadiq, an expert at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, who discussed the rights of persons with disabilities in Iraq. He outlined legislative developments after 2003, notably the Disability and Special Needs Care Law No. 38 of 2013 and its latest amendment in 2024.
Dr. Sadiq pointed out that Iraq has taken important steps by joining international conventions, such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). He emphasized that the real challenge lies in implementing the laws and translating them into tangible reality, ensuring effective integration and full participation of persons with disabilities in social, economic, and political life.
The seminar, moderated by Dr. Falah Hasan Al-Khattat, concluded with participants emphasizing the critical role of academia and media in promoting a culture of human rights, and the importance of partnerships between universities and civil society organizations to build societal awareness that upholds diversity, equality, and human dignity.
