The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Adviser for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and Information Barrister Mainul Hosein yesterday said the effectiveness of the United Nations is the best hope for a peaceful resolution of national and international conflicts.

Addressing as chief guest a two-day conference of senior editors of SAARC countries on 'Media Reporting Armed Conflict and Violence' at a local hotel in the city, the Adviser said if arrogance of military could be kept in check, the UN's collective power could be best used for avoiding dangerous conflicts.

"America's war in Iraq and Afghanistan can be a valuable study for learning, the most costly way, how in modern days military might of the superpower has become helpless in imposing its will. Instead, it has only succeeded in spreading violence globally," he said.

He said constant vigilance is needed to identify the root causes of violent conflicts or war exposing them impartially for peaceful resolution.

The Adviser opined the world has become potentially too dangerous and in reality too close to regard any war or violent conflict as just. "There should be no just violence only just peace," he said.

"Law alone will not prove enough to prevent armed conflicts and interventions. We need a change of mind-set of the world leaders," he said.

Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of Dhaka University, Press Institute of Bangladesh and International Committee of the Red Cross jointly organised the conference.

Presided over by Dr Shaikh Abdus Salam, the Chairman of Mass Communication and Journalism Department of DU, the inaugural session was also addressed, among others, by Head of the Mission of ICRC in Bangladesh Finn Ruda and Director General of PIB Mridula Bhattacharya.

Some 20 senior editors from Indian, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan, Maldives, Bhutan and the host nation are participating in the conference.

Barrister Mainul emphasised on the need for maintaining sincere cooperation among the SAARC countries to ensure rapid development and lasting peace among the people of the region.

Referring to the agreement signed by the SAARC leaders, he said promoting free flow of information across borders could have a dynamic effect in strengthening the process of cooperation against hostilities and differences.

Barrister Mainul Hosein emphasised the need for discouraging violent confrontation as a means of resolving political disputes by the contending states or non-state players.

He said the government must learn to show restraint and follow international laws for allowing international institutions to play their part before resorting to violent means.

Regarding press freedom, the Information Adviser said purpose of press freedom is not merely the freedom of reporting, but the freedom to serve public interest.

"Journalism has to be more effective and far-sighted when reporting armed conflicts. The graver the crisis, the greater is the need to be reflective about the objectivity of journalism," he said.

In a violent conflict, he observed, reporting about deaths and destruction is not enough rather violation of human rights of non-combatant innocent people must be brought to the forefront.

Barrister Mainul regretted that in modern warfare soldiers are more careful about protecting themselves than saving the lives of the innocent civilians.

Finn Ruda said reporting on war casualties is not merely a matter of head counts, but the media could help find the stories of human sufferings.

"Reporting about conflict is about giving dignity to the victim of injustice," he said.

He said journalists have the power to speak to the people in their own style and language.

Dr Abdus Salam said the conference would help journalists know their exact humanitarian roles in reporting conflicts.

Mridula Bhattacharya highlighted different programmes for journalists taken by the PIB.