Cartoon by Rayma Suprani
Two years after the attack on Charlie Hebdo staff, the world’s free expression focus has largely shifted away from cartoonists. That certainly does not mean the danger has disappeared, however, as a recent 30-page report from the French nonprofit Cartooning for Peace/Dessins Pour la Paix shows. The report brings together profiles of cartoonists under threat and background information on the free speech situation in the countries where they work — or from which they’ve been forced to flee.
The report pays tribute to the unique role that satirical cartoonists fulfill in many countries, and their defiance in the face of censorship, intimidation, and violence:
Whether their cartoons concern politics, the economy, sports or religion, cartoonists are confronted with the same threats as newspaper, radio and television journalists who cover sensitive subjects. Censorship, legal proceedings, attacks, imprisonment, exile, disappearances and, in the worst of cases, murder: many different acts of violence proving that cartoonists are always on the frontline.
Unique witnesses of current events and veritable barometers of the freedom of expression, they defy threats in order to inform us on the state of democracy during periods of insecurity and trouble. In a context where violations against the freedom of expression have worsened, it seems indispensable to give the floor to those who take up the pencil, in order to pay tribute to their backgrounds and struggles.
Read the full report here, then catch up on our past coverage of many of the featured cartoonists, grouped below by country.
Ecuador – Bonil
- Ecuadorean Cartoonist May Face Trial for Insulting President
- Ecuadorian Cartoonist Avoids Trial — For Now
- Ecuadorian Cartoonist Faces Charges for “Socioeconomic Discrimination”
- Ecuadorian Cartoonist Bonil Fined by His Government and Threatened by ISIS
- Bonil: “The Role of a Cartoonist Is to Be a Dissident”
- Cartoonist Bonil Keeps Up Fight Against Government Censorship
- Another Complaint Filed Against Ecuadoran Cartoonist Bonil
- Discriminatory Complaint Against Ecuadorian Cartoonist Declared “Baseless”
Ecuador – Vilma Vargas
- Ecuadorian Artist’s Exhibit Censored by Government
- Cartoonist Vilma Vargas Responds with More Humor in Face of Opposition
Venezuela – Rayma Suprani
Turkey – Musa Kart
- Turkish Cartoonist Acquitted of Insulting President
- Turkish Cartoonist Musa Kart Arrested with Newspaper Colleagues
- Musa Kart and Colleagues to Remain Jailed Until Trial
- Musa Kart and Colleagues Still in Prison Awaiting Indictment
- Musa Kart Indicted After Lengthy Detention, Could Face 29 Years in Prison
- Sevinç Kart Speaks at European Parliament for Imprisoned Turkish Journalists
India – Aseem Trivedi
- Political Cartoonist Charged with Treason in India
- Two Cartoonists to Receive CRNI Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning
- Frivolous Arrest of Cartoonist Fuels Effort to Repeal Indian Sedition Law
- Indian Cartoonist Aseem Trivedi Released on Bail After Arrest on Sedition Charges
- Sedition Charges Dropped Against Aseem Trivedi
Malaysia – Zunar (highlights below; see here for all articles)
- Malaysian Police Again Raid Zunar’s Office, Seize Books
- Zunar Arrested for Twitter Criticism of Malaysian Government
- Zunar Charged with Nine Counts of Sedition
- Zunar Launches Legal Challenge to Malaysia’s Sedition Act
- Top Malaysian Court Finds No Justification for Ban on Zunar Books
- Zunar in U.S. to Receive CPJ International Press Freedom Award
- Zunar and Gado Win Cartooning for Peace Prize
- Zunar Barred from Leaving Malaysia
- Zunar Faces New Sedition Charge After Mob Disrupts Cartoon Exhibit
- Zunar Arrested Again at Fundraising Event
- Malaysian Court Awards Zunar Damages for Books Lost in Raid
Australia/Manus Island refugee detention center – Eaten Fish
- CRNI Courage Award Goes to Refugee Cartoonist in Australian Detention Center
- Iranian Refugee Cartoonist on Hunger Strike in Australian Detention Center
Kenya – Gado
- Tanzania Bans Newspaper Over “Disrespectful” Cartoon
- Government Forces Firing of Kenya’s Top Cartoonist
- Cartoonist Gado Won’t Be Silenced by Kenyan Government
- Zunar and Gado Win Cartooning for Peace Prize
Syria – Ali Ferzat
- Syrian Cartoonist Beaten, Hands Broken
- Syrian Cartoonist Ferzat Featured in Amsterdam Exhibit
- Cartoonists Often Forced into Exile
- Exiled Syrian Cartoonist: “Drawing is the Strongest Weapon Against the Regime”
Egypt – Islam Gawish
- Egyptian Cartoonist Released Without Charge After Overnight Jail Stay
- Arrest Doesn’t Deter Egyptian Cartoonist Gawish
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Contributing Editor Maren Williams is a reference librarian who enjoys free speech and rescue dogs.