Calypso drums pound in support of Zunar
In support of Malaysian cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque and others, Amnesty International’s global 'Write for Rights' campaign against attacks on freedom of speech and expression has attracted the attention of artists and activists from around the world.
As part of the campaign for Zulkiflee, better known as Zunar, individuals are encouraged to write a short letter to or share images with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, urging him to drop the sedition charges against Zunar and end Malaysia's crackdown on free speech.
In a statement yesterday, Zunar said his struggle for a better Malaysia through his cartooning has received new levels of morale boosts, with support from, among others, world-famous American singer, songwriter, actor and social activist Harry Belafonte.
“This kind of solidarity is very important, not only to me but also to highlight the shrinking space of freedom of expression and human rights in Malaysia.
“In my global campaign, I always give a strong emphasis to the impact of the Sedition Act, the demands by Bersih and the conspiracy against (PKR de facto leader) Anwar Ibrahim,” Zunar said.
The political cartoonist is currently facing up to 43 years imprisonment if found guilty of
nine separate charges
under Section 4(1)(c) of the Sedition Act 1948 for his tweets on the outcome of Anwar’s Sodomy II trial.
"All my life I have used my art to fight for social justice. So when I see freedom of expression under serious attack, I must act," Belafonte ( photo ) is quoted as saying by Zunar in his statement.
"That is why I stand with Amnesty International today in demanding justice for courageous Malaysian cartoonist Zunar, who is facing decades in prison for political tweets he sent in February.â"âI am proud to lend Zunar my voice today," Belafonte said.
In his career, Belafonte has won three Grammy Awards - including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award - an Emmy Award and a Tony Award.
In 1989, the 88-year-old received the Kennedy Center Honours and was also awarded the National Medal of Arts in 1994.
Last year, he received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
Others step up, too
Zunar also said that renowned Chinese contemporary artist and activist Ai Weiwei last week showed support for Amnesty’s campaign by holding up Zunar's picture in London.
Zunar noted that Ai, who was in 2012 ranked third in ArtReview's guide to the 100 most powerful figures in contemporary art, is also the recipient of Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience Award this year.
The award was presented to Ai and folk singer Joan Baez for showing exceptional leadership in the fight for human rights through their life and work.
“It was also a great morale booster when top journalist Christiane Amanpour quoted my philosophy during the Burton Benjamin Memorial Award speech in New York last month,” said Zunar, adding that others who also showed support included multiple award-winning cartoonist Garry Trudeau.
Earlier this month, Zunar filed an application with the Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur to challenge the nine charges against him.
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