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BREAKING: Zehra Ömeroğlu’s legal troubles are not over yet

BREAKING: Zehra Ömeroğlu’s legal troubles are not over yet

by Terry Anderson | Jul 28, 2025 | News

June’s celebrations were premature; Turkish prosecutors are determined to pursue cartoonist Zehra Ömeroğlu and overturn her acquittal.

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Statement: international free expression orgs call for Ashraf Omar’s release, one year on from his arrest

Statement: international free expression orgs call for Ashraf Omar’s release, one year on from his arrest

by Terry Anderson | Jul 22, 2025 | News

On the first anniversary of his arrest, international cartoonists’ & free expression organisations call for the release of Ashraf Omar.

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UPDATED: cartoonists’ & free speech orgs in support of LeMan magazine

UPDATED: cartoonists’ & free speech orgs in support of LeMan magazine

by Terry Anderson | Jul 10, 2025 | News

Cartoonists’ & free speech organisations speak out against the allegations and misinformation surrounding LeMan humor magazine, Türkiye.

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UPDATED: cartoonists’ & free speech orgs in support of LeMan magazine

UPDATED: statement following arrests of LeMan magazine staff

by Terry Anderson | Jul 2, 2025 | News

CARTOONISTS RIGHTS and allies condemn the violence and arrests targeting the opposition satirical magazine LeMan in Istanbul.

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Statement following the President’s proclamation “restricting the entry of foreign nationals”

Statement following the President’s proclamation “restricting the entry of foreign nationals”

by Terry Anderson | Jun 12, 2025 | News

While the last several months of policy changes in the US have offered multiple causes for dismay, our organization is particularly aggrieved by the newly announced “travel ban” that came into effect June 9th.

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Two partner organizations on either side of the Atlantic – Cartoonists Rights and Freedom Cartoonists – combine forces with a unified program of international awards, recognizing the world’s bravest cartoonists facing threats to their freedom of expression:

Awarded on odd years by Cartoonists Rights in Washington, D.C.

To our Award

Awarded on even years by Freedom Cartoonists in Geneva

To their award
Read more on this international collabroation

Since 2022, Cartoonists Rights has worked with its partner organization in Geneva, the Freedom Cartoonists Foundation, on an alternating pattern of bi-annual awards presentations recognizing the contribution made by cartoonists exemplifying the spirit of free expression and continuing to work despite difficult circumstances or direct threats to their human rights. In order to cement the partnership, the President of each organization holds an honorary position on the other’s Board of Directors.

These awards are conceived as a means of advocating for the safety and freedom of cartoonists under extreme duress and are ultimately intended as a contribution toward the solution of those problems, and in furtherance of the cartoonists’ careers. Hence, neither is awarded posthumously.

On each occasion at least one cartoonist is honored, however it is not unusual for multiple awards to be given (such are the numbers of potentially worthy recipients). While some of the most talented and well-known cartoonists on Earth have been counted among the winners, the awards are not given in recognition of artistic excellence or lifetime achievements. Rather, they are an acknowledgment of bravery, resilience, and dedication to democratic ideals.

Between the two the International Courage in Cartooning Awards have honored more than forty cartoonists around the world, hailing from Algeria, Bolivia, Cameroon, China, Denmark, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Hungary, India, Iran, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Mexico, Palestine, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tanzania, Türkiye, Ukraine, Zimbabwe, and elsewhere. Alternating from one side of the Atlantic to the other each year, they represent a truly global initiative to support and defend cartoonists’ freedom of expression.

 

The Kofi Annan Courage in Cartooning Award

Given by Freedom Cartoonists Foundation in even-numbered years and named after the Honorary Chairman of the foundation, the late Dr Kofi Annan, this award is presented in Geneva by the Mayor of the City on World Press Freedom Day (May 3rd). The award is granted on the recommendation of an independent jury composed of members from different backgrounds: Mayoralty of Geneva, Presidents of the foundation and partner organizations, defenders of human rights and personalities known for their commitment to freedom of expression. Nominees are pre-selected with the help of our partner organizations, Association Cartooning for Peace in Paris and Cartoonists Rights.

The next award will be announced in 2026.

Learn more about the latest winners, Rachita Taneja and Zunzi.

 

The Robert Russell Courage in Cartooning Award

Given by Cartoonists Rights Network International in odd-numbered years and named after the founder and former Executive Director of the organization, Dr Robert “Bro” Russell, this award is generally presented in Washington, DC. Following an open call for nominations, the Board of Directors select a winner or winners from a shortlist prepared by the Executive Director. In past years, the award was given as part of the program at the annual convention of the Association of America Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC) and on one occasion at the Stanley Awards, given by the Australian Cartoonists Association (ACA).

The next award will be announced in 2027.

Learn more about the latest winner, Zehra Ömeroğlu

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