Cartoonists Rights Network International seeks nominations as we prepare to present our twenty-fifth annual award to a cartoonist of exemplary courage.
CRNI presents this award to a cartoonist who in the last twelve months has evidenced remarkable bravery 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
Earlier this month we reported on a particularly dark period for cartoonists. We do not doubt that were will be multiple worthy candidates to consider, perhaps more than in any previous year.
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 10th at 12.00 EST
CRNI’s Board of Directors will consider the nominees and select a recipient. Under the current circumstances, and as measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic prevail, an online announcement and presentation of the 2020 award is anticipated later this year.
Read about previous Courage in Editorial Cartooning Award Winners
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.
