Blog of Cartoon Movement, the Internet's #1 publishing platform for high quality political cartoons and comics journalism
Edited by Tjeerd Royaards and Matt Bors
The blog of Cartoon Movement, the Internet's #1 publishing platform for high quality political cartoons and comics journalism. Edited by Tjeerd Royaards and Matt Bors.
www.cartoonmovement.com
Published by the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Sketches of Iran - A Glimpse from the Front Lines of Human Rights is a collection of drawings, editorial cartoons, and portraits of human rights defenders:
Exquisite drawings, some in the unadorned clarity of black and white, others washed in visceral colors, sit side by side with searing commentary by leading Iranian writers, activists, journalists, lawyers, and family members of prisoners of conscience.
“These drawings depict defiance in the face of power. They are infused with a quiet determination. Their unflinching portrayal of suffering, as well as the occasional use of humor, resonates on an emotional level in a way no human rights report can,” said Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of the Campaign.
Artists banned from work, writers silenced, students and lawyers imprisoned, journalists forced under torture to “confess”—these are some of the subjects that Sketches of Iran confronts head on, through visual images and personal narratives that give a rare glimpse into the front lines of the struggle for human rights in Iran.
The Arabic desk of Radio Netherlands Worldwide has posted an update (as well as our series of support cartoons) on Mohammad, adn has some more information on what he is accused of. According to his lawyer, Mohammad is accused of accepting money in Jordan for his brother Tamer, a member of Hamas who is currently in an Israeli prison. Mohammad denies this, and claims he handed the money to another person while still in Jordan, because he suspected the funds were linked to Hamas.
March 20
The Palestinian News Network reports that on March 19, the militiray court has once again requested an extension of the detention of Mohammad. The prosecution now has until next Thursday to decide whether they will present an indictment or not.
In the meantime, media around the globe are still following Mohammad's case. +972 reported on the case, and Daryl Cagle of Cagle.com posted a letter he send to the Isreali ambassador to the US:
I run a small business, Cagle Cartoons, Inc., that syndicates the work of cartoonists from around the world to over 850 subscribing newspapers, including half of the daily, paid-circulation newspapers in America. Among the cartoonists we distribute is Yaakov Kirschen, the cartoonist who draws Dry Bones for The Jerusalem Post; Yaakov’s cartoons run in Jewish newspapers throughout the USA. Our American editorial cartoonists are great supporters of Israel, in contrast to cartoonists from the rest of the world who harshly criticize Israel. The contrast is easy to see as editorial cartoons reflect world opinion. American cartoonists are Israel’s most visible suporters, and my own small business is the leader in distributing these views for America and the world to see.
It seems clear that Muhammad has been jailed to chill his cartoons that are critical of Israel. Instead, this ugly incident risks chilling Israel’s most visible supporters in America’s press, at a time when Israel needs our support more than ever.
Another week has passed, and the Fars News Agency reports that the detention of Mohammad has yet again been extenden by another eight days. They also report Mohammad's brother was arrested on March 6, also for reasons yet unclear. The judge did say that the arrest of Mohammad's brother necessitated further interrogation of Mohammad, who is held in solitary confinement, and has received no official charges to date. Ramzy Taweel tells us that the Israeli authorities are looking into files from 1998, when Mohammad was at University.
PRI's The World speaks with Israeli comic book artist Uri Fink about the arrest of Mohammad Saba'aneh. There's also a slidewhow of Mohammads work, narrated by Carol Hills (editor of Global Political Cartoons).
March 7
Another update reaches us via Ramy Taweel, colleague of Mohammad. Sadly, the Isreali authorities decided today to extend the detention with another 8 days. There is still no clarity on what the charges are against Mohammad, exactly.
These is some positive news as well: Mohammad's lawyers met with him, and report he is doing fine. They have published a statement calling the detention unjustified.
March 6
The next issue of New Internationalist Magazine devotes half a page to the arrest of Mohammad Saba'aneh and the support of cartoonists:
Israeli authorities said they were investigating the cartoonist for providing services to hostile organizations, according to the cartoonist's lawyer. No formal charges have been announced.
The cartoonist has been transferred from the Jalemeh detention center to Ashkelon prison, according to news reports. Dozens of protesters staged a rally in front of the Al-Hayat al-Jadidabuilding on February 28, 2013, to show their support for Saba'aneh and other detained Palestinians.
Cartoons (clockwise) by Dlog, @revolution, Tunis from Willis and Troud
Although the outlook is not good, the news about the fate of Mohammad is still spreading. The Doha Center for Media Freedom (DCMF) released an official statement yesterday:
“DCMF calls for the Israeli authorities to release Mohammad Saba’aneh immediately.
It is unacceptable for governments to use outdated and archaic legal restrictions to detain journalists indefinitely and without charge, as is the case with Mohammad.
The security forces have not yet disclosed any information about Saba’aneh or his whereabouts, and the centre is urging the authorities to allow the journalist access to a lawyer as well as his family.
Access to information and media freedom are basic human rights which can never be compromised. Journalists should never face persecution for their work, no matter where they are. We are hoping for a speedy resolution to Saba’aneh’s case and that he can return to his home as soon as possible.”
Well-known Israeli cartoonist Michel Kichka writes to support Mohammad on his website (in French), and Israeli newspaper Haaretz also writes (in Hebrew) about the plight of the young Palestinian cartoonist.
The Yaka ! (yakayaka.org) who promotes caricaturists and press cartoonists joins the international solidarity movement to fully support Mohammad Saba’aneh. We invite our readers to join the International Human Right Council’s international campaign to write a letter for Mohammed’s imminent release. This action is by no means political, but only based on the basic rights of the Universal Declaration of Human’s Rights that forbids, amongst other things, torture and arbitrary detentions.
A number of cartoonistsshow their support visually at yakayaka.org. With their permission, we have published some of them here. To see all the cartoons in support of Mohammad, visit their website.
Cartoon Movement is working together with international organizations to offer legal aid to Mohammad and his family, in an effort to get Mohammad released, or at least ensure his welfare. More news will be posted here as soon as we have it.
February 28
Ramzy Taweel gives us an update on the situation: today, the Israeli court extended the detention of Mohammad Saba'aneh with another 9 days. Things are looking grim for the cartoonist, who is held without an official charge. It is starting to look like he might be facing indefinite detention. Family and lawyers are not allowed contact with Mohammad, and have not been in contact with him since he was detained by Israeli authority. Friends and family express grave concerns about his welfare and health; they do not know if Mohammad is held in isolation or with other captives, nor any other condition of his captivity.
In response to the death of Palestinian detainee Arafat Jaradat, who died in Israeli custody on Saturday, the family of Mohammad have written an open letter, calling on humantiarian organizations to help them visit Mohammed:
We are the family of Mohammed Abdel Ghani Saba'na, who has been arrested by the Israeli Occupation Army as he was coming back home from Jordan through Al-Karama crossing. And since that day his lawyers was unable to meet him and all their requests were rejected.
We – Family of Sabaaneh – and after the death of “ARAFAT JARADAT” during investigation by Israeli army, at Aljalameh compound or after that in Majeddo prison, We appeals to all parties especially humanitarian organizations all around the world to interfere fast to help us visiting our son to check on him and his safety we appeal to them to work hard to save our our Son and all prisoners from the Occupation prisons to end their suffering by lifting their case up to international forums to assure their safety and their legal rights.
Family of Sabaaneh -------------------------------------
English version of the letter was approved by Adel Sabaaneh, brother of Mohammad Sabaaneh
Mohammad is scheduled to appear in court again on Thursday. So far, every appeal from lawyers and family to visit him has been denied.
February 24
The latest update reaches us again via fellow cartoonist Ramzy Taweel: on Friday, a request by lawyers to visit Mohammad was denied by the Israeli authorities. Mohammad's family has not been in contact with him since his arrest.
Word about Mohammad's arrest is spreading: after Reporters Without Borders issued a press release, the Committee to Protect Journalists published a statement calling for his immediate release.
Israeli authorities said they were investigating the cartoonist for providing services to unspecified "hostile organizations,"according to Saba'aneh's employer, the Palestinian daily Al-Hayat al-Jadida, which cited the cartoonist's lawyer.
Saba'aneh works as a political cartoonist for Al-Hayat al-Jadida, and has depicted imprisoned Palestinians in his most recent cartoons. One, published on February 17, shows a mirror on the wall of a prison, revealing prison bars in its reflection. More than 300 Palestinians are being held without charge in administrative detention in Israel, according to B'Tselem, an Israeli human rights group.
The International Council for Human Rights has issued a call to action, asking all to write letters calling for Mohammad's immediate release to the Israeli authorities:
Please write immediately in English, Hebrew or your own language:
Calling on the Israeli authorities to release Mohammed Sabaana and all other Palestinian administrative detainees immediately, unless they are properly charged with internationally recognizable criminal offences and brought to trial in full conformity with international fair trial standards;
Calling on them to ensure that Mohammed Sabaana and all hunger strikers receive all the specialist medical attention they require, which is only available in a civilian hospital, ensuring regular access to doctors of their choice, and not subjected to shackling or other cruel or inhuman treatment;
Urging them to end the use of administrative detention and permit all detainees family visits.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS TO:
Avi Mizrahi West Bank Commander of the IDF – GOC Central Command Military Post 01149Battalion 877 Israel Defense Forces, Israel Fax: +972 2 530 5741
Menahem Mazuz Israeli Attorney General 29 Salah al-Din Street Jerusalem Fax: +972 2 530 5741 / 530 5724
Ban Ki-moon Secretary General United Nations New York, 10017, USA Fax: +1 212 963 4879
Navanethem Pillay United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Palais Wilson , 52 rue des Pâquis CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland Fax: +41 22 917 90 00
Christof Heyns Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (OHCHR) Palais des Nations CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland Fax: +41 22 917 90 00
Bastiaan Belder MEP Chair, Delegation for relations with Israel Parlement européen Bât. Altiero Spinelli 04F266, rue Wiertz 60 B-1047 Bruxelles, Belgium Fax: +32(0)2 28 49270
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. THE NAME OF ICHR CAN BE MENTIONED; HOWEVER LETTERS WRITTEN IN A PRIVATE AND PERSONAL CAPACITY MAY BE MORE EFFECTIVE. PLEASE STRESS THAT YOUR CONCERN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IS NOT POLITICALLY MOTIVATED BUT THAT IT IS BASED THE RIGHTS ENSHRINED IN THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS WHICH GRANTS THE RIGHTS TO LIFE, LIBERTY AND SECURITY, DISALLOWING TORTURE AND ARBITRARY DETENTION AND THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY AND PEACEFUL ASSOCIATION
We also urge you to write a letter expressing your concern to the Israeli authorities and the organizations mentioned above.
Reporters Without Borders has issued a press release condemning the arbitrary arrest of Mohammad Saba'aneh, and calling for his release:
Reporters Without Borders condemns Palestinian cartoonist Mohamed Sabaaneh’s arbitrary arrest by Israeli authorities on his return from Jordan on 16 February and his continuing detention. An Israeli military court decided yesterday to hold him for another nine days.
The press freedom organization calls on the Israeli authorities to publicly say what he is charged with and to let him see a lawyer.
Update 12:46 GMT: Fellow Palestinian cartoonist Ramzy Taweel
tells us that the Israeli Court has decided to extend the detention of
Mohammad Saba'aneh by another 9 days, during which time lawyers will not
be allowed to visit with him (nor anyone else). Lawyers say this is a
tactic to delay the release of Mohammad, and that there is no justified
reason for the extended detention.
Here is a video of a protest outside Ofer Military Prison against the arrest of Mohammad and other journalists:
Mohammad is supposed to appear in court today, and we hope to have more information by the end of the day. The good news is that many organizations are now aware of Mohammad's situation, and we have been informed that both the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders are investigating the case. Our cartoonists have begun to do what they do best: expressing their support visually. Here are some cartoons that have come in over the last 24 hours:
We have spoken to another Palestian cartoonist, Ramzy Taweel, to find out more about Mohammad's arrest. Unfortunately, there is not much information available. Tomorrow Mohammad is due to appear in court, and in the meantime, no one is allowed to visit him, including his lawyer.
He was arrested in Jericho and sent to ALJAFLA military base near Jenin City, where he was held for 12 hours with no information at all. Under the law of secret information the Israeli court can expand his detention another 16 days 'for more investigation'. After that period, it can be expanded with another 16 days, and then it becomes a period of 6 months, which can be extended without the need to have any clear accusation. This is called indefinite detention. According to Ramzy, friends and family of Mohammad fear this will happen.
Mohammad's brother says the Palestinian state lawyer and the Palestinian prisoners lawyer are working hard to be present in court tomorrow, to prevent any further detention of Mohammad.
Also tomorrow, the Palestinian journalists are making a stand outside the Ofer Military Court for Saba'aneh and another journalist that was arrested.
Cartoon Movement and Cartoonists Rights Network International have sent letters of protest to the embassies of Israel in the United States and the Netherlands, and are seeking international media attention to give publicity to the arrest of Mohammad.
February 18
One of our Palestian cartoonists, Mohammad Saba'aneh, was arrested by Israeli authorities on Saturday, for reasons as of yet unknown. Mohammed was detained at a border crossing between Jordan and the West Bank when returning from back home after attending a conference for the Arab American University
(AAU), where he works in the public relations department, in Amman.
The Palestinian journalists syndicate denounced the arrest of Mohammed, and issued a press release that Mohammed’s arrest fell in line with the systematic targeting by Israeli authorities of journalists and infringement on their freedom of
movement.
We have informed Cartoonists Rights Network International about the incident, and will work with them to find out why Mohammad was arrested, and to help and support the cartoonist. More information will follow as soon as we have it.
Our cartoonists come from all over the globe, but some countries are better represented than others. Cuba is such a country. Over the last months, we have welcomed several Cuban artists, and we have become curious about the cartooning scene in Cuba. We talk to three Cuban artists about political cartoons, censorship, and the future of Cuba.
What, in your opinion, is the power of political cartoons?
Adán Iglesias Toledo: Political cartoons are drawn chronicles of national and international events. They are as important as the TV news. Today and especially with youth who read very little press are more important to provide important information in short. Alfredo Martirena: Cartoons in general have a great impact on their readers. Political cartoons also have the advantage that since their text has to be synthetic and intelligent and give a message, the reader can assimilate this rapidly. It all fits in one frame and a quick look at it gives a general idea of the conflict in question. Osvaldo Gutierrez Gomez: The political cartoon has the power to express and report successes and failures of the political system of each country or government, but always according to the opinion of the artist or the medium in which the cartoons appears.
'Fashion Statement' by Osvaldo Gutierrez Gomez
We have a lot of cartoonists Cubans here in Cartoon Movement. Are there many artists in Cuba (and if so, why)?
Adán: Cuba is an island unknown in many aspects. It has a long tradition of humor and literary figure but is little known. Certainly there are many editorial cartoonists in Cuba, and of good quality. Although there are few newspapers to publish the pictures (before the collapse of the socialist bloc in Europe there were more spaces), the best dailies have remained. The Internet is used by the new generation of artists, especially those doing contemporary art. Martirena: In Cuba there is a strong team of cartoonists, part of a tradition that began in the early 1900s. All the publications at that time started to include cartoons to illustrate serious articles. In Cuba we have three major cartoon and comic publications: Melaito, DDT and Palante. Each one of them has been around for over 40 years, which makes for possible for young cartoonists to have a podium for their work; this way the number of good cartoonists increases. Osvaldo: Yes, Cuba has always been a country of great comedians. Cubans say that we laugh at our own evils, and the cartoons are the perfect way to do this. We have a humorous publication, Palante, with over 50 years of existence, where this history and tradition is maintained, although currently there is a crisis in the publications, due to the shortage of paper and the economic situation in the country. We also have two of the most awarded cartoonists in the world: Ares and Boligan.
'The Price of Progress' by Alfredo Martirena
Is there a lot of censorship
in Cuba, and how do you deal with censorship? What (if
any) are subjects you cannot draw about?
Adán: Of course there is censorship. I do not think there is a country where this is not present. In the Cuban case it has its peculiarities. On of the criteria for the press is that everything published should have an eductional value; many topics are not published because they supposedly lack this educational value. Some of these topics, in my experience are: religion, racism, homophobia. But there are others that are difficult to classify, and cartoonists are sometimes clever in the way they subtly include topics in their work. Alfredo: I believe that there is censorship in
media all over the world, starting with editors, in
accordance with interests supported by the big news
corporations, which silence inconvenient news and promote
and adulterate others akin to their interests. We may
have censorship in Cuba, but in my case, as a cartoonist, I
have not felt it. I collaborate with many international
media, magazines, and I have never felt limited and the
works I sent have never been censored. Cartoonists here have
a good sense of ethics, which guide our work. For example,
here in Cuba we are not used to seeing cartoons of our
politicians from the past 50 years, but not because it
is prohibited, and some cartoons about our current president
have been published. With the new economic reforms, there
have been some calls for the press to criticize and point
out what’s wrong in the country, but that most of the
times stumbles upon the middle bureaucrats which excel at making
our work difficult. That’s where I see the censorship in
our country. Osvaldo: I belief there is some degree of censorship everywhere in the world. Here in Cuba there is censorship as well, with a single party and media who all report on the same issues. I also belief that there is more self-censorship than censorship, a cartoonist not doing a cartoon on a certain topic, thinking it will not be published. As for me, I have never let that stop me, and will do a cartoon anyway. If they publish it or not, that is no longer my responsibility. I think that many of our artists are on the side of the Revolution and its leaders, and criticism is often about the social problems that exist in my country.
'Fidel Castro' by Adán Iglesias Toledo
How do you see the future of Cuba?
Adán: Cuba is a socialist island just meters from the great imperialist power, the United States of America. This closeness has determined the existence of many Cubans. Whoever denies the blockade on Cuba exercised this power has not been on this planet more than 20 times when the United Nations has voted against it. This is a major constraint to living in this country, but it is a big mistake to hold our government responsible for the blockade. In Cuba, there is a large bureaucracy which keeps on growing. Significantly, President Raul Castro, Fidel's brother, has taken many measures to combat bureaucracy and inefficiency, but it still dominates the state apparatus. I think the current reform of the economy will contribute to a better country. Alfredo: I envision a better future for Cuba. I think it will depend on better relations with the USA. If the USA lifts the 50 year-old embargo, Cuba would progress rapidly because of its highly educated population besides its scientific and technical potential. Osvaldo: Cuba, in my personal opinion, is doing, economically and politically. what it should have been doing ten years ago: removing laws that should never have existed in the first place, but saving the key achievements of the Revolution, such as healthcare, education and sports for all. Cuba is a generous and peaceful country, and should be rewarded for its efforts through the years, facing the most arrogant and deadly enemy of the planet, the government of the USA.
What role can political cartoons and
cartoonists play in shaping this future?
Adán: Fighting that bureaucracy is
fundamental to the future of prosperity we all desire. I do not think
the artists can change the world, but at least we can influence
consciousness. Humor is the best weapon against the bureaucracy, but
the artists who have a large podium, such as the Cuban daily Juventud
Rebelde (Laz, Falco and I) have the great limitation (and here
appears again the issue of censorship) that sometimes what we publish
in our newspaper is assumed as the editorial judgment of the whole
paper and the country and not the artist's personal opinion. So editors can be reluctant to print cartoons on cerain topics. Alfredo: We can be like a bridge and in fact somehow we’re starting to make some steps in that direction, showing the world our truth, which is not always presented as such by the big transnational media. Osvaldo: With cartoons, we are able to expose our mistakes without fear of being criticised or censored. It is the duty of all Cubans to create a more democratic Cuba. Do not fear the truth and accept it, no matter how hard.But it is alway up to us Cubans to make decisions about our country, without outside interference.
Interview with Dr. Ambikesh Mahapatra - by Tjeerd Royaards
Can you imagine being assaulted and
arrested for simply forwarding a cartoon? It happens in India. More
specifically, it happened to Dr. Ambikesh Mahapatra, a chemistry
professor at Jadavpur
University in West Bengal, India.
The incident was sparked by the forwarding of a political collage cartoon by email to approximately sixty-five resident members of the New Garia Housing Cooperative Society (Dr. Mahapatra is Assistant Secretary of the Society). The cartoon was a mild critique on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
One of the recipients of the email took offence to the image, and on April 12, 2012, a mob headed and lead by Trinamool Congress Party members (the party of Chief Minister Banerjee) assaulted Dr. Mahapatra and Mr. Subrata Sengupta (the Secretary of the Society). When the police arrived at the scene, instead of arresting members of the mob for assault, Dr. Mahapatra and Mr. Subrata Sengupta were arrested and charged with outraging the modesty of a woman, defamation and using the Internet to defame another. It is worth to note that the leader of the group, and the one to file the complaint (on which the charges are based) with the police was Mr. Amit Sardar. Amit Sardar is not a member of the New Garia Housing Cooperative Society and therefore was not a recipient of the email. His interest stems from his position as leader of the Trinamool Congress Party.
The cartoon that caused the incedent. For background and explanation of the cartoon, head over to the website of CRNI.
News of the incident spread, causing outrage among many freedom-loving Indians and prominent public figures, many of whom called for these laws to be changed, because they contradict with freedom of expression, which is guaranteed in the Indian constitution. On August 13, the West Bengal Human Rights Commission Rules ruled in favor of Dr. Mahapatra and Mr. Subrata Sengupta, and condemned the police action. However, this ruling had no influence on the charges they were facing.
We talk to Dr. Mahapatra about the most recent developments in his case, and about freedom of expression in India.
Professor Mahapatra, the latest update in your case is this:
A student of Delhi Law University (Shreya Singhal) filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition before The Supreme Court of India to abolish or modify Section 66A of Information Technology Act under which Ambikesh Mahaputra and Subrata Sengupta) were booked and charge sheeted. This section was used (rather misused) in other states of India to arrest others. The use of this section in many states including state of West Bengal certainly contradicts the constitutional fundamental rights of freedom of expression. The Union Government admits it and trying to modify this section to protect constitutional rights. The Supreme Court of India after first hearing on 30.Nov 2012 directed all states including state of West Bengal to submit an affidavit explaining the arrest of us under section 66A of IT Act before the Supreme Court of India within 4 weeks. This 4 week date line will over on 28 Dec 2012.
What are the latest developments?
Till to date, I do not know whether Government of West Bengal has submitted the affidavit explaining the arrest of us under 66A of IT Act, though the deadline of date of submission is over. So I do not know the content of this affidavit also, if it is submitted. It is a legal property. The Government of West Bengal is to submit directly to the Supreme Court of India. The next hearing date of this PIL case in the Supreme Court of India is 14th January 2013.
Beside this, different NGOs are planning for legal battle against this draconian section, 66A of IT Act which is against the Indian constitutional fundamental rights of freedom of expression.
Do you belief in a positive outcome?
I am very much optimistic about a positive outcome. I have faith in the people & the media and as the situation prevails I am not at all alone. I believe the constitutional rights will be ensured. It is just the question of time.
Is your case representative of the situation in India, with regards to freedom of expression?
Of course, yes. But mine is not the only one where a gross violation of human rights in reference to freedom of expression has taken place. We must fight it all together.
In recent years (with the obvious exception of your case), have things been getting better or worse in India?
I would say both. It is getting better in the sense that we the people, are getting stronger and stronger. The people have understood that keeping yourself mum is not at all good for a healthy democracy. The media is also playing their role. So, all together, the situation has been improving. And what is worse is the fact that even after such a huge pool of protest from different sections, the ruling party is not ready to learn a lesson especially the WB Government.
How important is it to be able to criticize and lampoon political leaders?
It was very difficult, is difficult and will be difficult to criticize the political leaders. But we must do it. We have the support of the people, the society, the media, and the different organization (State level, National level & International level). Freedom of expression is our fundamental right & we must protect it at any cost.
Has your recent experience lead you to censor yourself more (for instance, when it comes to criticizing Mamata Banerjee), or has it made you want to become involved more in the struggle for freedom of expression?
Forget about censoring myself from the struggle for freedom of expression, day by day I am getting involved in it more and more. My conscience was always in favour of this freedom and I will never fall apart from it. I have the strength of people with me.
It seems that freedom of expression is really taking a turn for the worse in Egypt. And, as is often the case, it's cartoonists who feel the tightening of the noose of censorship first. Earlier this month, we reported that Amr Okasha has been threatened because of his cartoons that criticize the Muslim Brotherhood and now Doaa Eladl is suid by the National Centre for Defence of Freedoms (oh, the irony) for overstepping the freedom of expression:
The secretary-general of the National Centre for Defence of Freedoms
has filed a lawsuit against Naguib Sawiris, the owner of Al-Masry
Al-Youm newspaper, and their cartoonist Doaa El-Adl. The lawsuit, filed
on Sunday, is in response to a cartoon depicting Adam and Eve, which the
Secretary-General of the centre, Salafist lawyer Khaled El-Masry said
was insulting of the prophet.
The cartoon depicts Adam and Eve standing beneath an apple tree on a
cloud. Before them stands an Egyptian man with angel wings and a halo,
who declares the couple would have never been expelled from heaven had
they voted in favour of the referendum.
Egyptian
cartoonist Amr Okasha reports he is working in difficult
circumstances in Egypt:
Who
can imagine this is the New Egypt that we made a revolution for! As a
political cartoonist, I'm facing a much more tense and challenging
time than during the Mubarak regime. Now, every time I publish a
cartoon, I receive very insulting and offensive comments. Most of
these are made by supporters of president Morsi and members of the
Muslim brotherhood. They accuse me of being a liberal socialist
infidel. They say my criticism of Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood is
criticism of the Islam. Islamist leaders and supporters call any
critique on the regime an attack on religion.
Recently,
I have published a number of cartoons that seem to have made them mad. I
received insulting messages via Facebook as well as in the comment
section of my newspaper's website. Even more alarmingly, a photo of
me was posted during a pro-Morsi demonstration last Saturday. My
picture was posted along with other photos of public figures in the
media; protesters chanted they wanted to get rid of these persons.
I'm
going to continue to publish what I see and believe is the truth, but
I want to admit that I'm worried too.
This
slideshow features some of Amr's recent cartoons:
Interview with Nadia Khiari, the creator of Willis From Tunis
We're honored to add Tunisian artist Nadia Khiari, the creator of the comic Willis from Tunis, to our network. Willis is a cat, born in the Tunisian revolution that lead to the fall of Ben Ali, created by Nadia to use the newly won freedom of expression to comment on the revolution and the aftermath. The character quickly became widely popular, in Tunisia an beyond, with currently close to 20,000 fans on Facebook. In 2012, she received the Daumier Prize for her creation. We talk to her about cartoons, social media, and the future of Tunisia.
When no one obeys, no one commands.
Were you surprised by the success of Willis in Tunis? Why do you think it has had such an impact?
I was totally surprised by the success of this cat. Indeed, at the outset, it was intended to make my family smile in these difficult moments. I think the success of the character is the fact that we all live the same thing, the immediacy of social networking promotes the dissemination of drawings.
The revolution in Tunisia has given the people freedom of expression. Were there any political cartoonists in Tunisia before the revolution?
There were cartoonists in Tunisia but they were censored and could not criticize the government. They commented on the news and therefore essentially on sports.
The Indignant (Signs: Education/Work/Freedom/Dignity)
What, in your view, is the power of political cartoons?
Newspaper cartoons and political satire are vital to the health of a democracy. Able to speak freely and mock everything is important. Drawing is a way to make the public smile but also step back, have perspective and reflection.
Your main form of publication of online through social media (although you have also published two books). Do you think the future of political cartoons is online, instead of in newspapers?
I hope that cartoons in print will still be important. But it is obvious that publishing on social networks allows everyone access to my work: unlimited boundaries, sex or social class. It's free and therefore accessible.
I read in an interview that you choose not to syndicate Willis from Tunis. Do you feel syndication would present you with editorial constraints?
I do not want my character to be labeled or become the mascot of a political party, movement whatsoever. The character is independent, free and allows you to make fun of everyone and everybody, including himself.
Ministry of women the complimentary of man.
How do you see the future of Tunisia?
I remain optimistic. The freedom that we won at the cost of human lives is precious and we must preserve it. I know that the struggle to preserve is at every moment and is far from over.
What role can political cartoons and cartoonists play in shaping this future?
All cartoonists like me who were born during this revolution are happy to finally be able to exercise their passion. The more we'll create, the more we ‘ll fight taboos, and the less these taboos will remain in obscurity.
If you want to learn more about Nadia and her work, we recommend this excellent video interview, made by the Guardian.
Al-Jazeera
English reports on Juan Zero, a popular young Syrian
cartoonist: 'The conflict in Syria has bred a new generation of
activists, who are using creative non-violent means to bring about
change in their country. Some of them continue their struggle from
outside.'
As our network of cartoonists has grown, blank spots have become apparent on our global map, often coinciding with countries that do not have the best track record when it comes to freedom of speech. China is one of these blank spots. Therefore we're very happy to to welcome our first Chinese political cartoonist to the network. Crazy Crab (pen name) is the author of Hexie Farm (Crab Farm), a series of political cartoons depicting dictatorship, censorship, and propaganda of the Chinese Communist Party. He started this series in 2009. Due to the censorship, he publishes anonymously. In October 2011, the cartoon series was completely banned in mainland China. We talk to him about cartoons, censorship, and the harmonious society.
There are not many political cartoonists working in China, are there?
No, in fact, there are lots of political cartoonists working in China. Hundreds of political cartoons are published in newspapers every day. However, you can hardly find real political satire about the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) and the government from those cartoons. Cartoonists have to figure out what they can draw before drawing. Due to censorship and self-censorship, most political cartoons in China are boring and pointless.
Before I drew cartoons, I was a big fan of Calvin and Hobbes, and Snoopy. To be a cartoonist like Bill Watterson was my dream. I never thought about drawing political cartoons until 2009, when I read the news about Mr. Feng Zhenghu and Ms. Tang Fuzhen on the Internet. Mr. Feng’s story was hilarious and Ms. Tang’s is sad. Those stories happened in an era of the so-called “harmonious society” in China. And I found no Chinese cartoonist stood up to support them. So I asked myself, why didn’t you draw something? So I did.
What's the meaning of your pen name 'Crazy Crab', and the title of your cartoon series 'Hexie Farm'?
In Chinese, ‘Hexie ’is a pun of harmony and river crab. Every day, thousands of news, articles, and pictures are censored and deleted by the government. People use “river crab” to make a joke on the Party’s “harmonious society” theory. Nowadays, “Hexie”(river crab or harmony) also means “to delete” or “be censored” on Chinese websites.
Public critic on the Party and the government is dangerous. People might lose jobs, be detained or arrested for doing this. Their family might be threatened too. To speak out the truth, as a real citizen, might be regarded as being crazy.
What do you hope to achieve with your work?
I hope I can speak a different voice through my cartoons to the Chinese audience and to the Party. I want to combine the Chinese history and reality together in my drawings, and figure out how ridiculous the logic behind the Party’s politics is. And I also hope my audience will get a new perspective and start to think differently when they read my cartoons.
No Chinese cartoonist criticized the CCP’s political system in past 60 years. I think it will be changed soon.
Hong Kong and China. There is an annual memorial for the Tian'anmen protest of 1989 in Hong Kong Victoria Park.
Your cartoons were banned in China in October 2011. Why and how did this happen?
At first, they just kept on deleting my cartoons and my blogs. But since October 2011, “Hexie Farm” (in Chinese: 蟹农场) was on the list of Banned Search Terms . That means you cannot find my cartoons using Baidu search engine (the most popular Chinese search engine).
I don’t know why they banned my cartoons. What I know is they fear the truth, they fear people’s laughter, and they fear my cartoons. According to the order from “the Ministry of Truth”, my cartoons are considered as “harmful”. They even required every Chinese website to make double check and make sure that all my cartoons were deleted. I regard this as an honor.
How did this censorship affect you personally? Did you consider giving up political cartooning?
The Party’s censorship policy makes my cartoons impossible to be published in mainland China. In fact, the freedom of speech is affected to a large extent by the CCP even in Hong Kong.
Sometimes I was depressed and angry. How can we breathe freely before such a powerful censor system? But I’ll not give up. I can feel the true power of laughter when my cartoons are reposted and shared on the Internet despite the authority’s determination to delete them.
Where do you publish your work now?
Most of my cartoons are published on my blog, twitter and G+. Some were published by a few Hong Kong based magazines. I am not a columnist cartoonist yet.
How do you see the future of China?
I don’t know. China has a powerful economic engine and the country has been changing dramatically. However, the ghost of Chairmen Mao is still there. Bloody stories like Ms. Tang’s are happening never so often. Does China have a bright future while those tragedies are being censored and quickly forgotten?
What role can political cartoons and cartoonists play in shaping this future?
Political cartoons not only criticize the political system and speak out for those who are fighting for their freedom and justice, but can also make people think from a different perspective. A great cartoon speaks a thousand words. I hope more and more Chinese cartoonists will stand up and speak out.
We have put three new designs in our T-shirt webshop, all in support of Ali Ferzat, the Syrian cartoonist whose hands we're broken to stop him from drawing anti-Assad cartoons. You can choose between 'The Dictator's Nightmare', 'Keep Fighting Oppression' and 'The Power of Cartoons'. We guarantee that every penny earned is used to support editorial cartooning, especially in those places where cartoonists are not free to work.
