CARTOONISTS RIGHTS NETWORK INTERNATIONAL

Tanzania: cartoonist held by police without charge

According to the local cartoonists’ organisation and leading Tanzanian human rights experts, Optatus Fwema’s rights have been violated after more than ten days of detention.

UPDATE – OCTOBER 08 2021: Following strongly-worded condemnation from both Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, CRNI understands that Optatus Fwema was released earlier today, ending two weeks of detention. This is welcome but it’s apparent that a “Cyber Crimes” case will be brought against him at a later date. We urge the Tanzanian authorities to drop any and all charges and agree with RSF’s assessment: “Only the worst authoritarian regimes jail cartoonists over an ordinary satirical cartoon of the country’s leader.”

In a statement dated October 4th, the East African Cartoonists’ Society – KATUNI say that their member Optatus Fwema was arrested at his home on September 23rd. They state that the national law is very clear with regard to the limited time in which detention without charge is permissible and that having failed to bring a case against him the police have violated his rights. The continue: “He has also been denied bail and is therefore being held illegally.”

They are joined by Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC) who also made a release to the press today, saying in part:

“On 30th September 2021 Mr. Fwema was interrogated in absence of his advocate or family members for cyber offences. To date, no formal charge has been instituted in any court against him. Such unlawful prolonged detention is contrary to Section 32 of the Criminal Procedure Act Cap 20 R.E 2019 which obliges the Police Force not to detain a suspect in custody for more than 24 hours without releasing him on bail or arraigning him to a court of competent jurisdiction. Unlawful detention is a denial of one’s constitutional right to liberty guaranteed under Article 15 of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, 1977 [Cap 2 R.E 2002].“

Source: Instagram

CRNI understands that colleagues of Mr Fwema believe the cartoon prompting police action depicts current President of the Republic, Samia Suluhu as a child carelessly splashing a tub of water. A former President, Jakaya Kikwete is shown shielding her from criticism. The 4th and 6th office-holders respectively, Kikwete is perceived to have been a mentor to Suluhu. Her immediate predecessor, John Magufuli, passed away earlier this year.

Mr Fwema is due to appear in court tomorrow, October 5th, with THRDC lawyers attending.

We share the alarm expressed by our colleagues at Cartooning For Peace, expect a swift hearing tomorrow were any charges against Optatus Fwema are brought in a timely fashion so that bail may be granted and he can return home. To detain him longer is unacceptable.

 To Report a Cartoonist in Danger  Email Cartoonists Rights Network International

Red Lines: new book on cartoonists & censorship launches today

Researched comprehensively by academic Cherian George and designed, illustrated and co-authored throughout by cartoonist Sonny Liew, Red Lines: Political Cartoons and the Struggle Against Censorship is a unique text, presenting interviews with cartoonists and those who work on their behalf in a long-form comic-book.

“Red Lines” is published today by MIT Press.

CRNI sincerely congratulates both gentlemen on the realisation of what we know has been many years of work. We have been fortunate to see an advance copy. An absorbing read in its own right, Red Lines is an invaluable almanac for anyone who has been involved in the defence of cartoonists over the last few decades and provides an informative basis for future campaigning.

Among the who’s who of modern, international cartoonists featured are multiple past winners of our Courage in Cartooning Award; Ali Farzat, Atena Farghadani, Nikahang Kowsar, Musa Kart, Kanika Mishra, Pedro X. Molina, Mana Neyestani, Aseem Trivedi, Zapiro, Zunar plus many of our regional representatives past and present.

Professor George also quotes our founder Dr Robert Russell as well as current Executive Director, Terry Anderson and members of our board of directors Dr John Lent and president Matt Wuerker.

Purchase a copy now.

Cherian George describes the process of collaboration with Sonny Liew.

From the publisher: “On sale now from MIT Press, Red Lines: Political Cartoons and the Struggle Against Censorship, a lively graphic narrative by Cherian George and prize-winning cartoonist Sonny Liew that provides a visual guide to one of the most elemental forms of political speech. Interviews with cartoonists around the globe reveal the pulse of a vocation under attack, illustrating that when the red lines are misapplied, all citizens are potential victims.”

 To Report a Cartoonist in Danger  Email Cartoonists Rights Network International

Ashraf Hamdi: 150 days a prisoner

Arrested on January 25th 2021 and like all prisoners experiencing heightened risk to his well-being due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Egyptian animator Ashraf Hamdi has been in jail for one-hundred-and-fifty days. Cartoonists Rights Network International and Cartooning for Peace call for his immediate release.

A still image from the since-deleted cartoon “نهاية الثورة المصرية The End of Egyptian Revolution”, originally posted to YouTube in 2013.
The joint statement reads as follows:

On January 25th 2021 Ashraf Hamdi, celebrated creator of the Egyptoon brand of animated satirical social media content, was arrested at his home in Giza, Egypt. He posted a brief comment – “They are coming.” – to his Facebook page shortly after re-posting a link to an old animated cartoon that made a humorous observation about the 2011 revolutionary movement, Jan. 25th having been the tenth anniversary of that event. The comment has since been deleted and the cartoon in question removed from YouTube.

Although no official, public acknowledgement has ever been published concerning Hamdi’s status nor of any charges against him his family and lawyers have established that he is being held within the penal system. A petition posted on a public forum by his Egyptoon colleagues in late March made reference to charges of “misdemeanour number 5535” and went on to clarify that Hamdi “is an artist who would always support his country and stand behind its leaders.”

June 24th marks one-hundred-and-fifty days without progress; Cartooning for Peace and Cartoonists Rights Network International ask those responsible for Hamdi’s detention to heed the call made in the March petition and without further delay release Ashraf Hamdi, with especial consideration given to his well-being in the midst of the pandemic.

The consensus is clear. Amnesty International have warned that the global prison population are the forgotten victims of COVID-19 and demanded that all prisoners of conscience be released. Freemuse, Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders have all raised concerns about human rights abuses under pre-trial detention, again exacerbated by the pandemic which has had a delaying effect on judicial processes.

Under normal circumstances Egyptian law permits up to two years of pre-trial detention but it is now commonplace to see this extended yet further. Such an outcome must be avoided, particularly while the pandemic continues.

Bearing in mind that the only crime in question was to (re)post an animated video and that a full public apology has been made on his behalf, we call for his immediate release.

Let this one-hundred-and-fiftieth day be the last; show clemency and release Ashraf Hamdi.

 To Report a Cartoonist in Danger  Email Cartoonists Rights Network International

Robert Russell Courage in Cartooning Award 2021: Nominations Open

Cartoonists Rights Network International announces open nominations as we seek to recognise the exemplary bravery and integrity of a cartoonist with our twenty-sixth award presentation.

Ahmed Kabir Kishore, winner of the Robert Russell Courage in Cartooning Award 2020

CRNI presents this award to a cartoonist who in the last twelve months has shown remarkable courage while suffering a threat or threats that constitute a violation of their human rights, especially their freedom of expression as defined by Article 19 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Specifically:

  • physical violence, or the threat of violence, to self or family
  • criminalisation e.g. charges of sedition, “insult” to the state etcetera
  • arrest, detention or imprisonment by police, military personnel or immigration officers
  • forced displacement from home
  • censorship
  • vexatious litigation (“SLAPP” suits)
  • online harassment e.g. hacking, DDoS attacks, mass trolling etcetera
  • verbal or physical abuse or intimidation based on age, gender, race or sexual orientation

Past recipients of the award include:

  • 2020 – Ahmed Kabir Kishore, Bangladesh: no longer a prisoner, Kishore nonetheless continues to experience judicial harassment in Bangladesh and has suffered permanent damage to his health from wounds he says were given during police interrogation; recently a medical panel failed to substantiate his official allegations of torture.
  • 2019 – Badiucao, China/Australia: Badiucao continues to speak truth to power as a dissident based in Australia and has been vociferous in his support of the “Milk Tea Alliance” movement; he still reports evidence of cyber attack and online threats and for the past several months has been unable to use his Instagram account.
  • 2018 – Pedro X. Molina, Nicaragua/USA: last month Molina’s former employers, Confidencial news, were beseiged by police ahead of this year’s presidential elections; the escalating situation makes it increasingly unlikely that Molina will be able to return home safely and he has embarked upon a new position at Cornell University.
PX Molina continues to speak truth to power while in exile.

Read about all the previous Courage in Cartooning Award Winners here

While making their nominations correspondents may wish to consider the regions that have seen the most obvious and egregious collapses in human rights standards over the last year. We have already reported on the alarming backslide in Malaysia and there are signs of a very similar downward trend in India. The whole world has been seized by the horror of the Myanmar coup and the the most recent violence in Gaza. We are also reminded of those nations that have suffered severely under governments unable or unwilling to manage the pandemic, most notably Brazil.

Of course there are are many individual cases of note too, from cartoonists singled out by politicians to those disappeared into the penal system or taken to court by overly sensitive public officials.

Please send your nomination to CRNI Executive Director Terry Anderson at terry.anderson@cartoonistsrights.org with “Annual Award” on the subject line — or click here:

Email us your Courage Award nomination

The email should contain a brief description of the problems faced by the cartoonist. And if possible please include contact information for them, a family member or other representative. The cut-off date for nominations is Friday, July 9th at 12.00 EST

CRNI’s Board of Directors will consider the nominees and select a recipient. For the second year in row, and as measures taken against the COVID-19 pandemic continue, we do not anticipate making an in-person award presentation. An online announcement will be made in the fall. We sincerely hope that 2022 will see the return of cartoonists’ gatherings as normal and with it resumption of conventional awards-giving.

Note: CRNI does not present its award to a specific cartoon in recognition of its excellence and so is not seeking the submission of cartoons about freedom of expression or threats to it.  We are concerned solely with cartoonists’ human rights.  Therefore CRNI makes no comment on their professional status or quality/content of their work. However we will not consider cartoonists whose output advocates violence or encourages any form of hate speech.

 To Report a Cartoonist in Danger  Email Cartoonists Rights Network International

Alarming backslide in Malaysia: two cartoonists questioned by police

As leading press freedom and human rights organizations sound a note of alarm about deteriorating conditions in Malaysia, two veteran cartoonists – Fahmi Reza and Zunar – find themselves facing the possibility of criminal investigation once again.

UPDATE – MAY 08 2021: Zunar reports more than one hundred attempted cyber attacks during the course of a two-hour online panel discussion on human rights, featuring himself and cartoonists from around the ASEAN region.
UPDATE – MAY 07 2021: after a delay of five days, Zunar has traveled to the Kedah district for police questioning as instructed; he confirms via Twitter that a cell phone was confiscated and tells CRNI that this is the sixth device he has lost to police in as many years.
UPDATE – MAY 06 2021: Fahmi Reza is summoned again for police questioning, the third such session to occur this year, and confirms via Instagram that a total of five strands of investigation have been filed against him.
UPDATE – MAY 05 2021: Fahmi Reza tells his followers that his primary Twitter account is to be seized by police; those who demonstrated in protest over his arrest on April 24 may face criminalisation themselves, including parliamentarian Ahmad Fahmi Mohamed Fadzil.

In March CRNI was aware that the celebrated graphic artist and satirist Fahmi Reza (aka kuasasiswa) had been questioned by police over images posted to Twitter. In the hours immediately afterward he was in defiant mood, stating that “This latest round of investigations won’t stop me from designing and producing my artwork, because it is part of my responsibility both as a graphic designer and a Malaysian. Whatever I post is part of me expressing my freedom, as a Malaysian, to comment on the current events and as a graphic designer, I make these remarks through my satirical and parodic artworks and designs.”

Fahmi certainly has plenty of past experience dealing with Malaysian prosecutors; he faced criminal charges in 2016 and was finally acquitted in 2018 after the general election that year saw the downfall of Najib Razak’s notoriously corrupt and vindictive federal government.

On the evening of April 23rd multiple police officers came to Fahmi’s home in Kuala Lumpur, broke his door to gain entry, placed him under arrest and seized his electronic devices. As in the 2016 case he is being accused of crimes under the Sedition Act except this time the substance of the case is not quite a piece of visual artwork but rather the title and header image he amended to a playlist created on the Spotify music streaming platform. The Coconuts KL pop culture website explains the context as follows: “[it] appears to be taking a jab at Queen Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, who recently teased someone on social media after bragging about getting the vaccine. The playlist, titled This is Dengki Ke (Jealousy), quoted part of the comment she posted online and featured 101 songs with the word ‘Jealous’ in the title.”

At the time of writing the playlist was certainly available outside of Malaysia (despite reports that hundred of strikes against it were sent to Fahmi) and it can be heard below.

On the morning of April 25th police requested four days’ remand but a magistrate denied their petition, saying the cartoonist should be released on bail twenty-four hours after arrest. While his belongings remained confiscated and the investigation continues – specifically, under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act – Rahmi was able to meet supporters outside the police station and once again affirmed his dedication to freedom of expression. A note written while still detained and passed to his lawyers said: “In this country where a graphic designer is censored, arrested and locked up for his artwork, it is very important for this creative expression — parody and satire as a form of protest — to be continued to be practiced and to be continued to be defended.” Somewhat reassuringly, comments from the relevant ministry over the weekend indicate that this will be solely a police matter.

Note written by Fahmi Reza while detained by police, April 24th 2021

In a preview of a forth-coming interview with Vice Asia, Fahmi reflects on these most recent events, saying; “I like to think that my art and activism shines a spotlight on the wrongdoings in our country. But what was my crime? Creating a Spotify playlist. And now I’m being censored for it. It was clearly a show of force on the part of the authorities who came down harder on me this time round, using the kind of tactics reserved for serious criminals.”

Fahmi Reza pictured after 24 hours’ police remand, Kuala Lumpur, April 24th 2021

Another cartoonist all too familiar with the details of Malaysia’s Sedition Act and who had cause to believe his troubles were over at the end of the last decade was Zunar, a past winner of CRNI’s Courage in Cartooning Award.

Earlier today news broke that Zunar will be required to report for police questioning in the capital of the Kedah region’s Padang Terap district, Kuala Nerang on May 2nd. Under scrutiny is a cartoon of the regional governor Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor that Zunar posted in January when controversy was caused by the cancellation of a Hindu festival. The cartoon garnered complaints from the local youth wing of the ruling PAS party. It has been reported that formal complaints about Fahmi Reza have come from much the same political quarter.

Zunar’s cartoon dated January 23rd 2021

Speaking today with The Vibes news, Zunar is quoted as saying: “The cartoon was posted long ago – in fact, five months ago – but only now they (police) act? However, we can say this is politically motivated. My cartoon is open to interpretation; it’s something visual where I am commenting on a current issue. But I am not responsible for how people interpret it. Again, we don’t know the actual issue, but this is what the police require. Whatever it is, I have to follow (their instructions).”

In an exchange with CRNI last year Zunar expressed worries about the near future and it looks like these were well-founded; we will monitor what occurs next very closely.

Zunar reiterates his history as a persecuted and prosecuted cartoonist, April 28th 2021

These events come at the end of a few bad months for Malaysia’s reputation on the world stage. The consensus of leading human rights campaigners is that the new government formed in the aftermath of 2020’s “Sheraton Move” crisis has been disastrous for free speech and personal liberties. In their world reports Human Rights Watch said “freedom of expression came under attack immediately after the change in government” and Freedom House said they “invoked the COVID-19 pandemic to justify crackdowns on free speech and movement […] Additionally, a number of journalists, activists, and others were charged during the year with sedition, defamation, or violation of [law] for speech critical or perceived as critical of authorities.” Reporters Without Borders’ appraisal was dire, knocking Malaysia down eighteen places on their World Press Freedom Index.

“I am concerned and saddened by the news we are receiving from Malaysia. It’s become apparent that any ground gained in the brief rule of Parkatan Harapan has now been lost. The heavy-handed actions of Malaysian police and the extent to which they appear to be taking instruction from partisans are shameful and in some instances quite absurd. By definition seditious acts are those committed with the intent of destroying a nation. I refuse to accept that any reasonable interpretation of sedition can include rearranging existing pop songs on Spotify and as such trust the bizarre case made against Fahmi Reza will collapse given time. It remains to seen what specifics await Zunar in his interview with police on May 2nd. We will rally to his defense once more, should it prove necessary.”

Terry Anderson, Executive Director, CRNI

 To Report a Cartoonist in Danger  Email Cartoonists Rights Network International

As a probe into allegations begins, time to ask: “Who Tortured Kishore?”

A Dhaka court has ordered an inquiry into allegations of torture made by the cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore, following his release on bail after ten months in prison. CRNI demands an independent and impartial investigation amid sustained levels of criticism directed at Bangladesh’s government.

UPDATE – MARCH 19 2021: KISHORE REPORTED TO HOSPITAL FOR A MEDICAL EXAMINATION YESTERDAY AS INSTRUCTED BY THE COURT, BUT FURTHER TESTS ARE REQUIRED THIS WEEKEND. ACCORDINGLY, AN APPLICATION HAS BEEN MADE TO EXTEND THE DEADLINE OF THE OFFICIAL INQUIRY.

As Ahmed Kabir Kishore recovers from surgery to help heal an infected ear injury, a wound that has permanently damaged his hearing, we welcome the news that there is to be an investigation into his allegations of torture while detained by police last May. However given the results of a similar procedure after the untimely death of Kishore’s co-accused, the writer Mushtaq Ahmed, we are not optimistic about the prospects of justice for the victim. There must be no cover-up, no bland obfuscation.

In a remarkable, harrowing account given to the press two weeks ago, Ahmed Kabir Kishore described torture, attempts to plant evidence at his home and a period of detention that predates the officially logged time of his arrest and entry into police custody.

“They hit me on the leg with a thick stick with a steel knob on the tip. There were four sticks displayed in the front to hit me with […] A person got up and slammed both sides of my head with his palms. They hit me at the back of the head […] They asked me for the passwords of my email and social media accounts. But by then I was not hearing anything in my right ear, which was bleeding.”

Ahmed Kabir Kishore describes physical injuries sustained during police interrogation.

While in court in February, prior to the death of Ahmed and successful bail of Kishore the pair attempted to draw attention to their treatment; the writer spoke out on behalf of his ailing companion and the cartoonist manged to pass a note to his legal representative. Within was a description of his alleged torture. Those responsible must be found, given an opportunity to account for themselves and, if found to have broken the law, receive the due penalties.

Even if one agrees that the Digital Security Act 2018 provides proportionate powers to combat truly criminal activity – and few do – it must be accepted that those arrested under the act are entitled to due process and can expect to receive a fair hearing without suffering injury or death while in the custody of the state. Yet Ahmed Kabir Kishore barely survived the past ten months and he has yet to learn when his actual trial will begin. Tragically, Mushatq Ahmed didn’t make it.

We note that criticism of Bangladesh and the government led by prime minister Sheikh Hasina has continued unabated since the death of Mushtaq Ahmed. Today, Human Rights Watch have been scathing in their call for clarification from Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Patricia Scotland after she praised the Bangladeshi leader’s pandemic response, saying “It is hard to understand what criteria the Commonwealth used to conclude that Sheikh Hasina should be lauded for her leadership and singled out as an inspiring figure. Baroness Scotland should clarify her statements and stand with victims against abuses in Bangladesh, including those carried out as part of the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.”

We quite agree. The only way to recover from the reputational damage of the last several weeks is for Bangladesh to respond swiftly, transparently and fairly to the grave transgressions that have been committed under the Digital Security Act.

 To Report a Cartoonist in Danger  Email Cartoonists Rights Network International

CRNI
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

Our awards-giving partners, Freedom Cartoonists Foundation, Geneva

Support CRNI via Paypal

or while shopping on Amazon

Categories

GDPR

Visitors to this site based in the EU – please be aware this site uses Cookies. Full details in our Privacy Policy.