Iranian cartoonist Atena Farghadani sentenced to six years in prison

13 Jun 24 | Iran, News and features, Statements

We are dismayed to learn that the Iranian activist, artist, and cartoonist Atena Farghadani has been sentenced to a total of six years in prison; five years for “insulting the sacred” and one year for “propaganda against the State”. This sentence was handed down by the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Revolutionary Court on Monday, June 10, as confirmed by lawyer Mohammad Moghimi via social media. The maximum penalties are indicative of the Iranian regime’s long-standing determination to persecute and silence this courageous rights defender.

Atena Farghadani had been detained since 13 April 2024 after attempting to display a drawing in a public space, not far from the presidential palace in Tehran. Over the past decade, she has been regularly monitored and harassed due to her art and activities opposing the repression of rights in Iran, especially those of women and children.

Previously jailed in 2014-16, and again for a short period last summer, Atena Farghadani risks coming to harm within the penal system. In 2023 she alleged an attempted poisoning. At the time of her arrest this year she reported that she suffered severe injuries from Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) personnel.

Artwork by Atena Farghadani was recently exhibited in Norway, at the sixteenth Oslo Forum for Freedom (OFF) organized by the Human Rights Foundation, dedicated to “reclaiming democracy”. In the presence of human rights defenders from around the world, Atena Farghadani’s representative Mohammad Moghimi ensured that her voice was heard, a voice that is both brave and righteous, and is targeted because she dares to defy oppression and injustice in her country.

Our organizations call for her immediate release and that she be returned to her family unharmed.

Signatories:
Africartoons
Artists at Risk Connection (ARC)
Association of Canadian Cartoonists
Cartooning for Peace
Cartoon Movement
Cartoonists Rights
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
Forum for Humor and the Law
Freedom Cartoonists Foundation
Freemuse
Index on Censorship
Professional Cartoonists’ Organisation

CRNI At Second Cartooning Global Forum (CRNI, 11 October 2019)

11 Oct 19 | Awards, Fellowship, Fellowship 2019

For the second year running Cartoonists Rights Network International has assisted in the effort to bring together cartoonists, the organisations that represent them and experts from affiliated fields together for a working day where best practice can be shared and the future of our profession and art form discussed, all as we make efforts to persevere through unprecedented hostility from authoritarian regimes and dwindling interest from increasingly risk-averse and cash-strapped news media. Read the article in full.

Robert Russell retires, award named in his honour (CRNI, 1 October 2019)

04 Oct 19 | Awards, Fellowship, Fellowship 2019

After twenty years at the helm CRNI’s founder and director Dr Robert Russell steps down from leadership of the organisation. “Bro” Russell’s lifelong commitment to human rights and dignity began as a Peace Corps volunteer in the sixties. He went on to spend over two decades in Africa and Asia as a consultant in institutional development and humanitarian assistance. In 2012 the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists (AAEC) presented him with their Ink Bottle Award for an outstanding contribution to the profession of editorial cartooning. Tributes have been paid once in the same setting this weekend as the retirement of CRNI’s founder and long-serving director was announced at the AAEC convention in Columbus, OH.