YRA works to strengthen the values of freedom, justice, and gender equality, improve journalists' performance through training programs, defend journalists' rights, and build relations with regional and international media organizations.
The Free Press Union (Yekitiya Ragihandina Azad - YRA) is holding its 7th Congress in Qamishlo. Through this congress, YRA aims to become an influential journalism institution throughout Syria and to serve as the professional and free voice of truth and popular will.
The congress at the Mihemed Şêxo Culture and Arts Center sees the participation of numerous journalists and press members from across North and East Syria, as well as representatives from the Autonomous Administration, TEV-DEM, YPG, and YPJ Press Centers.
The stage is covered with photographs of 31 journalists who were martyred in attacks by ISIS and the occupying Turkish state in the region.
The Congress began with a moment of silence in memory of the martyrs, after which YRA Co-Chair Dilyar Cizîrî delivered a speech.
Commemorating the martyred press workers, Cizîrî said that the 7th Congress of the YRA was the product of 14 years of struggle for journalism in North and East Syria.
Recalling that the YRA held its first congress in Amûdê in opposition to the Baath regime's oppression, Dilyar Cizîrî said, “Today, we have more responsibilities, and the problems faced by journalists are greater. We promise our people that we will follow the path of truth.”
Ciwan Mele Îbrahîm, Co-Chair of the Press Office of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, also spoke at the congress, saying that journalists should inform the world about the Revolution in North and East Syria and establish contact with journalists in other parts of Syria to bring everyone together under the YRA umbrella.
The congress is expected to conclude with the updating of the YRA charter, the election of new co-chairs and general assembly members, and the adoption of a final declaration.
