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For Immediate Release:
CRNI announces annual award winner

Contact: Robert Russell,
Executive Director, 703-543-8727

June 19, 2008, Burke, Virginia — Today, Cartoonists Rights Network
International announced the winner for its 2008 Courage in Editorial
Cartooning Award, Bahaa Boukhari, a Palestinian. CRNI, the only
international organization devoted to defending the human rights of
cartoonists imperiled because of their work, will present the award to
Boukhari at its annual dinner June 26. The dinner is to be held at
the Hotel Contessa, San Antonio, Texas.

A group of cartoonists deemed the Courage in Editorial Cartooning
Award the "Nobel Prize" of the cartooning world several years ago.

Every year, CRNI recognizes a cartoonist who has shown exemplary
courage in the face of unrelenting threat, legal action or other
pressure as punishment or disincentive for cartoons that were too
powerful for some officials, sects or demagogues.

Bahaa Boukhari has along career in political cartooning in the Middle
East. Last winter Gaza authorities arrested him and suspended
publication of the newspaper that published a cartoon that ran in
November. Boukhari and two colleagues were convicted of insulting the
Hamas Parliament Feb. 3. Although their fines and prison sentences
were suspended, an unprecedented series of demonstrations took place
in Ramallah Feb. 27 in defense of Boukhari and for the right of
Palestinians to express themselves freely without fear of intimidation
or reprisal.

CRNI has affiliate organizations in 15 countries throughout the world,
it conducts workshops and other training in freedom of expression
issues for cartoonists. Its programs include actions to reduce
violence with impunity against journalists. CRNI is a member of the
International Freedom of Expression Exchange and the New York
Foundation for the Arts.

Please contact CRNI for more information about Bahaa Boukhari and
former awardees who are once again endangered. Algerian Ali Dilem,
the most popular cartoonist in North Africa, is facing his third trial
since January. In February, Danish security forces thwarted an
international plot to kill Kurt Westergaard. Dilem and Westergaard
were CRNI honorees in 2006. CRNI has witnessed an alarming rise in
reprisals directed at editorial cartoonists due to the power and
influence of their work.

Robert Russell
Executive Director
Cartoonists Rights Network International
P. O. Box 7272
Fairfax Station, VA 22039-7272 USA
Tel / Fax:1 703 543 8727
email: mayte6@aol.com

In Holland, a cartoonist is arrested and released under hate speech laws.

Country/Topic: Holland
Date: 18 May 2008
Source: Cartoonists Right Network, International (CRNI)
Person(s): "Gregorius Nekschot"
Target(s): journalist
Type(s) of violation(s): Arrested, threatened
Urgency: Flash
May 13, 2008, Dutch police arrested a cartoonist whose pen name is Gregorius Nekschot. He was released May 14, but may face charges based on a 2005 hate speech complaint filed by Abdul Jabbar van de Ven. Nekschot cartoons, blatantly antiauthoritarian and anti-religious, are self published on the Internet and featured in HP/De Tijd magazine. As of May 18, the URL for his website draws a 404 ("not found", error message).

As reported by the Associated Press and the Dutch press, Nekschot
apparently spent two days in detention before being released with a
warning that the police now know who he is. The arrest was based on
suspicion of publishing cartoons offensive to Moslems and people of
color, but the office of the prosecutor has not confirmed that any
specific charges are forthcoming.

All over Europe, there are calls for investigating the arrest because
it looks like political grandstanding to appease religious
hard-liners. Some in the Netherlands and on blogs are saying that the
arrest is reminiscent of tactics used by the Nazi occupying forces in
Holland during World War II.

Dutch Minister of Justice Hirsch Ballin defended the arrest of the
cartoonist saying that it was a good thing that the cartoonist's
identity was finally made public. We at CRNI finds it disgraceful that
the police and the Justice Minister in particular would reveal the
identity of a cartoonist under these circumstances, exposing him to
imminent danger from people who have pledged to kill any cartoonist
who offends them.

It's quite like offering up a sacrificial lamb to appease a mob.

In an earlier interview, Nekchot said that he "was upset with the
fact that more and more people are cowed into silence when dealing
with Islam." He insisted that his cartoons – many of them being
sexually explicit and taking on religions including Islam - were meant
to make people laugh.

"People are afraid, but when you laugh you are not afraid, and if you
are not afraid, you are free," he said in the interview on Dutch TV
last February. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pbJHcnE1tk).

"When will you stop making these kinds of cartoons" asked the
interviewer. "When I'm dead," Nekschot responded.

CRNI finds it shocking and deeply troubling that the Minister of
Justice in the Netherlands would be the one to betray the safety and
security of one of its citizens to appease threats of violence.

Bro
Dr. Robert Russell
Executive Director
Cartoonists Rights Network, International
Box 7272
Fairfax Station, Virginia 22039 USA
Tel: 703 543 8727
email: mayte6@aol.com
Web: http://cartoonistrights.com/
With Affiliate Representatives in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe the Middle East, South America and Canada

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Date: Tuesday, 1 Apr 2008 17:58:20 EDT
Subject: EXTREMELY important implications for cartoonists worldwide.

IFEX COMMUNIQUÉ VOL 17 NO 13 | 1 APRIL 2008 | FREE EXPRESSION SPOTLIGHT

1. IFEX MEMBERS CONDEMN UN RESOLUTIONS SUPPORTING LIMITS ON FREE SPEECH

The top UN rights body passed two resolutions last week that limit freedom
of expression rather than protect it, say IFEX members, even further
undermining its mandate.

Despite objections from 40 rights organisations from around the world led
by ARTICLE 19 and the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), the
UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution on 28 March that turns the
Special Rapporteur on free expression into a "prosecutor".

The resolution requires the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression
to report on abuses of the right to freedom of expression when they
constitute an act of racial or religious discrimination. The resolution,
proposed by the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), was passed by
32 council members with 15 abstentions.

Critics say the amendment will help to justify censorship and the stifling
of dissent. "The change to the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on free
expression is dramatic. It turns someone who is supposed to defend freedom
of opinion into a prosecutor whose job is to go after those who abuse this
freedom," says Reporters Without Borders (RSF), one of the 40 organisations
who appealed to the council not to amend the rapporteur's mandate.

The protesting rights groups, including 21 organisations from Islamic
states, say the amendment changes the focus from protecting freedom of
expression to limiting it, and goes against the spirit of the mandate. The
groups also warn the vaguely worded amendment may lead to "misleading
interpretations".

A day prior, the council passed a resolution proposed by Islamic countries
saying it is deeply concerned about the defamation of religions and urging
governments to prohibit it. Canada and Europe opposed the resolution, which
was adopted 21-10, with 14 abstentions.

Although the text refers frequently to protecting all religions, the only
religion specified as being attacked is Islam, making specific reference to
the increased "ethnic and religious profiling of Muslim minorities in the
aftermath" of 11 September 2001.

RSF says the influence of the OIC member states is "disturbing". "All of
the council's decisions are nowadays determined by the interests of the
Muslim countries or powerful states such as China or Russia that know how
to surround themselves with allies," says RSF.

The pressure to protect religions from defamation has been growing,
especially since the Danish cartoons controversy. Cartoons depicting the
Prophet Mohammed first published in a Danish newspaper then reprinted in
various media worldwide in 2006 provoked international riots in which
dozens of people were killed. Islam forbids pictures of Mohammed, and many
Muslims felt the cartoons were intended to insult their faith.

The resolution expresses "grave concern at the serious recent instances of
deliberate stereotyping of religions, their adherents and sacred persons in
the media."

Similar resolutions that allow for free expression to be restricted to
ensure respect for religions have been passed since 2002. IFEX members,
such as ARTICLE 19 and Freedom House, have campaigned extensively against
the growing trend of using religious anti-defamation laws to limit free
speech.

The argument against the resolutions is that religious believers have a
right not to be discriminated against on the basis of their beliefs and are
protected as such in international law. But they cannot expect their
religion to be free from criticism. "The states chose to focus their
efforts on protecting religion itself, not the believers and not freedom of
religion," says ARTICLE 19.

Nor is this the first time the Human Rights Council, in place for nearly
two years, has come under attack for being ineffectual. RSF has sharply
criticised the council's recent decision to withdraw the Special
Rapporteurs on Cuba, Belarus and the Democratic Republic of the Congo,
countries "where serious human rights violations are committed every day."

ARTICLE 19 and CIHRS "condemn the repeated misuse of the Human Rights
Council process to push for an agenda that has nothing to do with
strengthening human rights and everything to do with protecting autocracies
and political point scoring."

Visit these links:
- CIHRS/ARTICLE 19 statement: http://tinyurl.com/2nuefb
- Petition of 40 groups: http://tinyurl.com/35o5n3
- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=26390
- Human Rights Watch on Human Rights Council:
http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2008/03/28/global18393.htm
- Past IFEX alerts on Human Rights Council and religion:
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/82209

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Country/Topic: Bangladesh
Date: 22 March 2008
Source: Cartoonists Rights Network, International
Person(s): Arifur Rahman
Type(s) of violation(s): arrested and jailed, now released.

Urgency: Up-date

CRNI is happy to report that the High Court of Dhaka, Bangladesh has found no further reason to keep cartoonist Arifur Rahman in jail. He was arrested on 17, September 2007 in his home for a carton named, "Mohammad's Cat" published in the Bengali-language newspaper Prothom Alo. His accusers said the cartoon mocked the Prophet Muhammad.

After speaking by phone with Arifur this morning CRNI Director Robert Russell reports that he is in good health, but a full debriefing of his harrowing time in jail will be done by the RSF representative in Bangladesh Mainul Islam Khan. As the cartoon raised so much anger and as he was charged with anti-Islamic actions, Arfur's safety might still be in question from extra judicial forces.

CRNI thanks the staff of RSF and CPJ for continued support and lobbying for Arifur's release.

Bro
Dr. Robert Russell
Executive Director
Cartoonists Rights Network, International
Box 7272
Fairfax Station, Virginia 22039 USA
Tel: 703 543 8727
email: mayte6@aol.com
Web: http://cartoonistrights.com/
With Affiliate Representatives in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe the Middle East, South America and Canada

An important movement at the UN Human Rights Council concerning a proposal to insulate religious belief from political criticism. Palestinian cartoonist Bahaa al Bakhari was recently sentenced to 5 years in prison for a cartoons about a Hamas leader, the cartoons was deemed to be anti Islamic. Al Bakhari's prosecutors used the image to frame an anti-Islamic charge that really only embarrassed the leader of Hamas. We should expect to see much more of this in the future. The US Mission to the UN has distanced itself from the UN Human Rights Council for this and other reasons.

Bro
Dr. Robert Russell
Executive Director
Cartoonists Rights Network, International
Box 7272
Fairfax Station, Virginia 22039 USA
Tel: 703 543 8727
email: mayte6@aol.com
Web: http://cartoonistrights.com/
With Affiliate Representatives in Asia, Africa,
Eastern Europe the Middle East, South America
and Canada

Our former Board of Director member Ann Telnaes send me this just breaking news.

CRNI will issue a press release condemning the action of the terrorists.

Bro
Dr. Robert Russell
Executive Director
Cartoonists Rights Network, International
Box 7272
Fairfax Station, Virginia 22039 USA
Tel: 703 543 8727
email: mayte6@aol.com
Web: http://cartoonistrights.com/
With Affiliate Representatives in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe the Middle East, South America and Canada

I received an email from Musa Kart this morning saying that all charges against him have been dropped. I sent a congratulations email to him but anyone who wants to add something please send him an email. Those of you who helped by sending letters to their Turkey Ambassadors, please take note: these letters of support for a cartoonist, protesting a government action against a cartoonists very often work. They really work. that kind of joint action by CRN affiliates counts in the world as a positive action defending freedom of expression. It is a real accomplishment for you who helped. Thanks,

Musa's email address is: musakart@yahoo.com

Bro
Dr. Robert Russell
Executive Director
Cartoonists Rights Network, International
Box 7272
Fairfax Station, Virginia 22039 USA
Tel: 703 543 8727
email: mayte6@aol.com
Web: http://cartoonistrights.com/
With Affiliate Representatives in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe the Middle East, South America and Canada

Thu, 24 Jan 2008

Today, the International Press Institute reports that our 2005 CRN Award winner Musa Kart is once again in trouble for a cartoon about the Turkish President. This time he has depicted the President as a scarecrow in a corn field. Another Cumhurryet cartoonist, Zafer Temocin, is also being investigated for his cartoon of the President as an Arabian Prince sitting in an envelope stuffed with money. They are being investigated under laws that were going to be changed as part of Turkey's entry into the European Union. The charges being investigated are Insulting the President, a crime in Turkey. This is a set back for Turkey's stated commitments to bring their human rights and freedom of expression laws more into line with other European countries.

I've asked Musa for copies of the cartoons and I'll forward them when we receive them.

Recently In Turkey, most cases like this against cartoonists have eventually been dropped, while actions against reporters and writers tend to be taken to the limit with writers and reporters often going to jail. The IPI report also says that in this week alone 10 newspapers in Turkey have been fined for one reason or another.

CRNI will send a letter protesting this investigation to the Turkish Ambassador in Washington. Other Affiliate Leaders are urged to write to the Turkish Ambassador in your own county protesting the actions against Musa Kart and Zafer Temocin. Affiliate Leaders wanting more information about the case contact me for details and a suggested letter. Our thanks to the International Press Institute for watching out for cartoonists.

Thanks,
Bro
Dr. Robert Russell
Executive Director
Cartoonists Rights Network, International
Box 7272
Fairfax Station, Virginia 22039 USA
Tel: 703 543 8727
email: mayte6@aol.com
Web: http://cartoonistrights.com/
With Affiliate Representatives in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe the Middle East, South America and Canada

Please visit this new item (http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/90126/) about an editor jailed for reprinting the 12 Danish cartoons.

Dr. Robert Russell
Executive Director
Cartoonists Rights Network, International
Box 7272
Fairfax Station, Virginia 22039 USA
Tel: 703 543 8727
email: mayte6@aol.com
Web: http://cartoonistrights.com/
With Affiliate Representatives in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe the Middle East, South America and Canada