UZBEKISTAN - Round-table discussion co-hosted by OHCHR, UNESCO and the National Centre for Human Rights to celebrate World Press Freedom Day 2024.
The 31st edition of World Press Freedom Day highlights the importance of journalism and freedom of expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis. The press, journalism, access and dissemination of information play a crucial role to ensure and secure a sustainable future that respects the rights of individuals and their diversity of voices, as well as gender equality. Sustainable development is in jeopardy. The triple planetary crisis—climate change, biodiversity loss, and air pollution—along with their connections to public health issues, the need to strengthen democracy, to tackle dis-/misinformation on digital platforms, among other issues have become major challenges for humanity. The information ecosystem has a key role to play in responding to this existential crisis. The access to reliable information and the importance of strengthening independent environmental and scientific journalism is more critical than ever. Independent journalists as well as scientists are crucial actors in helping our societies to separate facts from lies and manipulation to take informed decisions, including about environmental policies. Art. 49 of the new constitution of Uzbekistan, adopted in July 2023, lays down the constitutional right of each citizen to have the right to a favorable environment and reliable information about its condition. It also lays down the obligation for the state to take all necessary measures to improve, restore and protect the ecological system. Art. 61 of the Constitution further obliges each citizen to protect the environment. The green transition and the protection of the environment has been declared a priority of the Government.
The roundtable will provide a platform to exchange on the following questions:
1. What are the key environmental issues in Uzbekistan?
2. What are the challenges in addressing these issues, including in reporting and public discussions? (It is important for us not just to talk about environmental issues but to look at them from the angle of freedom of expression, if there are any public discussions, if there is a pressure on journalists or activists who report on those issues, etc. Maybe we need to formulate this question even clearer to explain the link to freedom of expression).
3. How can the government work more efficiently with the civil society? (it is not only media which can be vocal about environmental issues but NGOs and activists too – they all are environmental human rights defenders. If we mention media, this would be too narrow).
