Latest News

Up-to-date reports relevant to cartoonists and their freedom of expression.

Update on Ecuadorian Cartoonist Bonil

April 24, 2014

Xavier Bonilla, aka “Bonil”

On December 26, 2013 in Quito, Ecuador, twelve policemen entered the home of Fernando Villavicencia. As the parliamentary advisor of the opposition to President Rafael Correa’s regime, he was searched and accused of alleged espionage against President Correa and other officials.
This story was picked up by Xavier Bonilla, a well-known cartoonist for several media outlets in Ecuador. Using his pen name “Bonil”, he went on to publish a cartoon about the controversy in the national newspaper, El Universo. [full story]

Palestinian Cartoonist Majda Shaheen facing Death Threats

January 29, 2014

Majda Shaheen (self-portrait)

The situation regarding Palestinian cartoonist Majda Shaheen is of concern to CRNI. Ms. Shaheen has gotten repeated death threats as a result of a public campaign against her in connection with a cartoon she published on her Facebook page.
The cartoon depicted her view of the relationship between the Head of the Ruling Authority in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas, and the Al-Quds brigades, as detailed on ArabCartoon.net.
[full story]

Ecuadorian Cartoonist Bonilla verbally assaulted by President

January 27, 2014

Xavier Bonilla, aka “Bonil”

On December 26, 2013 in Quito, Ecuador, twelve policemen entered the home of Fernando Villavicencia. As the parliamentary advisor of the opposition to Rafael Correa’s regime, he was searched and accused of alleged espionage against President Correa and other officials.
This story was picked up by Xavier Bonilla, a well-known cartoonist for several media outlets in Ecuador. Using his pen name “Bonil”, he went on to publish a cartoon about the controversy in the national newspaper, El Universo. [full story]

Jabeur Mejri hoping for release in Tunisia

January 8, 2014

Tunisian cartoonist Jabeur Mejri

In May 2012 we posted the story of Tunisian bloggers Jabeur Mejri and Ghazi Beji. At the time Jabeur had just been sentenced to a prison term of seven years for insulting Islam as a result of materials, including a cartoon, he posted to his blog about the prophet Mohammed, and other comments about the religion. Mr. Mejri and Mr. Beji had also declared themselves to be atheists.
In Mr. Beji’s case, rather than being charged with insulting Islam, he was accused and convicted of . . . [full story]

Zunar Loses In Appeals Court

November 1, 2013

Malaysian cartoonist Zunar

On November 1, Malaysian cartoonist Zunar, recipient of CRNI’s 2011 Award for Courage In Editorial Cartooning, received the decision of the Appeals Court of Malaysia concerning his challenge to an earlier ruling that had upheld his 2010 arrest on charges of sedition, and the seizure of his book “Cartoon-O-Phobia”. Justices Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim, Mohd Arif Md Yusof and David Wong unanimously upheld the arrest and detention, as well as the earlier court’s decision that the seizure of Zunar’s books in 2010 was unlawful.
The arrest and seizure had and continue to have … [full story]

What Is Akram Raslan’s Status?

October 20, 2013

Syrian cartoonist Akram Raslan

Since our most recent posting there have been reports that Akram Raslan is alive, others claiming otherwise. While we hope it is the former, his current status remains unclear. CRNI is working every day with a number of sources to verify that he is alive and relatively well.
Akram Raslan was CRNI’s 2013 winner of the Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning. Past award winners have hailed from Malaysia, South Africa, Turkey, Palestine, Iran, and India, including last year’s winner, Ali Ferzat, also from Syria. [full story]

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