Oleg Sentsov har nu sultestrejket i 100 dage

oleg sentsov portrait

Tirsdag den 21. august markrede dag 100, for den sultestrejke, som den ukrainsk-russiske filmmager og forfatter Oleg Sentsov indledte 14. maj,ved åbningen af verdensmesterskaberne i fodbold, der blev holdt i Rusland.

Det forlyder, at Sentsov er blevet nægtet enhver adgang til kommunikation med omverden, herunder med familien. Hundredvis  af Sentsovs kolleger; PEN-medlemmer over hele verden, også fra Danmark, har derfor skrevet støtteerklæringer og hilsener til ham. Hilsenerne er oversat til russisk og i en samlet stak afleveret på den russiske ambassade i London, med en anmodning om at de videregives til Oleg Sentsov i fængslet. Samtidig har en række PEN-centre, herunder også Dansk PENs præsident Per Øhrgaard, sendt en appel til præsident Putin, på vegne af Oleg Sentsov.

 

His Excellency Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin

 

Your Excellency,

I am writing about Ukrainian writer and filmmaker Oleg Senstov, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence in the penal colony of Labytnangi in Siberia and who is reportedly in a critical condition. The PEN community, the global association of writers dedicated to promoting literature and defending freedom of expression, is calling for his immediate release as a matter of urgency.

Oleg Sentsov was sentenced to 20 years in prison on 25 August 2015 on spurious terrorism charges following an unfair trial by a Russian military court, marred by allegations of torture. PEN denounces serious flaws in judicial proceedings against him, including his lengthy pre-trial detention, the failure to investigate his allegations of torture as well as the fact that he was tried by a Russian military court and is now being held in Russia. Under international law, Crimea constitutes occupied territory and as the occupying power, Russia is obliged not to transfer civilian prisoners out of the territory. Trying civilians in military courts also violates international human rights norms. Oleg Sentsov should have never spent a single day behind bars. He must be released immediately.

On 14 May 2018, Oleg Sentsov started a hunger strike, calling for the release of ‘all Ukrainian political prisoners’ currently held by the Russian Federation. According to his lawyer and family, he was taken to intensive care on 15 June 2018. His heart and kidney problems have considerably worsened. He has a low haemoglobin level, resulting in anaemia and a slow heartbeat, and has lost 30 kilogrammes.

PEN calls on the Russian authorities to respect Oleg Sentsov’s human rights, including the prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment as it pertains to hunger strike and his right to medical attention, ensuring that he is treated humanely at all times and not punished in any way for his hunger strike.

In a note passed through his lawyer on 7 August 2018, Oleg Sentsov said he was being denied access to letters and was kept in an ‘information vacuum’. He is currently being held in the penal colony of Labytnangi, in Siberia, thousands of kilometres away from his home in Crimea, making messages of support all the more crucial.

The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners explicitly states that prisoners should be allowed to correspond in writing with family and friends at regular intervals. According to Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, to which Russia is a state party, ‘Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence.’ PEN urges the Russian authorities to respect Oleg Sentsov’s prisoner rights and to immediately give him access to correspondence.

I thank you in advance for your attention to this urgent matter.

Yours sincerely,

Per Øhrgaard, President of Danish PEN

 

***

Uddrag af de mange breve til Oleg Sentsov, fra kolleger verden over

Dear Oleg,

I write to you today in the hope that this letter reaches you somehow. I know that you are not receiving your letters. It is too cruel a thought to imagine that you lost your freedom so suddenly and without cause, that you are kept so far away from your family and children, that even as they’ve taken everything from you, they won’t allow even our words of support to reach you. They fear our words; they fear the knowledge that across the world, people are allied to your cause. I am writing in the hope that one day soon you will be free and able to see how many of us have stood with you from the beginning, that we read the news looking for your name, that we fear the worst but never surrender our hope. I want you to see the impact of your determination and sacrifice on so many around the world. The clumsy lies and manoeuvring of the Russian authorities only renews our resolve. In their attempts to silence you, what they have done is amplify your voice across borders. Today you exist in a cell that must feel soundproof. If only you could know that all around the world people are calling your name, decrying the behaviour of the Russian government, and calling for your freedom.

Your courage gives us all courage. We need you. Don’t give up.

                                                                                             Svetlana Alexievich

Дорогой Олег,

пишу тебе сегодня с надеждой, что это письмо каким-то образом дойдет до тебя. Я знаю, что ты не получаешь писем. Слишком больно думать, что ты потерял свою свободу так внезапно и беспричинно, что тебя держат вдали от семьи и детей, что даже когда они все у тебя отобрали, нет возможности передать тебе хотя бы наши слова поддержки.

Они боятся наших слов; они боятся осознать, что люди во всем мире поддерживают тебя. Я пишу в надежде, что в один прекрасный день ты будешь освобожден и сможешь увидеть, как много людей стояли рядом с самого начала. Что мы читаем новости и ищем твое имя, что боимся худшего, но никогда не перестаем надеяться.

Я хочу, чтобы ты увидел влияние своей решимости и жертвы на столь многих людей во всем мире. Нелепая ложь и маневрирование российских властей лишь подтверждают нашу решимость. В своих попытках заставить тебя замолчать, то, что они сделали, лишь усиливает твой голос из-за решеток. Сегодня ты в камере, которая кажется звуконепроницаемой. Если бы ты только знал, что во всем мире люди называют твое имя, осуждая поведение российского правительства и призывая к твоей свободе.

Твоя смелость дает мужество нам всем. Ты нужен нам. Не сдавайся.

                                                                                      Светлана Алексиевич

***

At this time I am thinking of Oleg Sentsov, who is risking his very life on behalf of political prisoners. We should remember that freedom of speech is a human right and needs to be defended with rigour and passion. Oleg may be imprisoned but his message remains free and his voice spans many continents, carried by all of us.

Ian Rankin, 

Scottish writer

Всеми мыслями я сейчас с Олегом Сенцовым, который рискует собственной жизнью ради всех политзаключенных. Мы должны помнить, что свобода слова — неотъемлемое право человека, и её нужно защищать всеми силами. Хоть Олег и находится в заключении, его идеи — на свободе, а его голос несётся по всем континентам, подхваченный нами.

 Айан Рэнкин,

Британский (шотландский) писатель

 

***

Dear Oleg,

Do not think that you are forgotten. Do not think that we don’t care. Do not think that they are winning. Do not think that your fight is for nothing. We remember, we care, they will not win, your fight is noble and brave and inspiring. I stand with you in solidarity.

Yours truly,

Yann Martel,  a Canadian writer

 

Дорогой Олег,

Не думай, что ты забыт. Не думай, что мы не волнуемся. Не думай, что они побеждают. Не думай, что твоя борьба бессмысленна. Мы помним, мы заботимся, они не побеждают, твоя борьба благородна, храбра и вдохновляющая. Прими мою поддержку.

Искренне твой,

Янн Мартелл,  канадский писатель 

 

***

Dear Oleg,

As your fellow artist, I send you my warmest greetings, in the hope that fairness and

truth will prevail, and that you will soon be released from your dreadful ordeal.

Be strong and hopeful. We are all thinking of you.

Much love

Mike Leigh

Writer and Film Director

Дорогой Олег,

Как коллега-художник, я посылаю самые теплые приветствия, в надежде, что справедливость и правда победят и Вы скоро будете освобождены от вашего ужасного испытания.

Будьте тверды и полны надежды. Мы все думаем о вас.

С любовью,

Майк Ли,

Писатель и кинорежиссер

***

Dear Oleg

Your struggle is the struggle of many – you lead through civil disobedience and non-violence, shaming those who jail you. In solidarity and with respect;

                                                                                                         Salil Tripathi,

Chair, PEN International’s Writers in Prison Committee

Дорогой Олег! Твоя борьба — борьба многих: гражданским неповиновением и ненасильственным сопротивлением ты стыдишь тех, кто заточил тебя. С солидарностью и уважением,

Салил Трипати,

председатель комитета «Писатели в заключении» PEN International,

журналист и писатель

***

Dear Oleg Sentsov

Although you are in prison, you are not alone. We stand with you in your courageous stand against censorship and despotism.

                                                                                                    Margie Orford

Дорогой Олег Сенцов!

Хоть Вы и в тюрьме, но Вы не одни. Мы присоединяемся к вашей мужественной борьбе против цензуры и деспотизма.

                                                                                               Марджи Орфорд,

журналист и всемирно известная южно-африканская писательница

***

Dear Oleg,

Like many, many others, I have been aware of your unjust situation and of your courage.  There is an English phrase which makes me think  you: “A good deed in a wicked world.”  We do not forget Mikhail Ugarov and Elena Gremina.  We remember “theatre.doc” with respect.  We support your stand and look forward to the day we can welcome you home.

We send you our love,

                                                                                                        Tom Stoppard

Дорогой Олег,

Как многие-многие другие, я хорошо знаю о несправедливой ситуации в отношении Вас и о Вашем мужестве. В английском языке есть фраза, которую я вспоминаю думая о Вас: «Доброе дело в порочном мире». Мы не забываем Михаила Угарова и Елену Гремину. Мы вспоминаем «театр.док» с уважением. Мы поддерживаем Ваше противостояние и с нетерпением ждем того дня, когда мы сможем поздравить Вас с возвращением домой.

Мы посылаем Вам нашу любовь,

                                                                                                         Том Стоппард

 Hilsener fra danske kolleger:

I write in support of Oleg Sentsov who is on a life-threatening hunger strike in Siberia.

I urge the Russian authorities to release him from prison and return him to good health.

Sentsov is a courageous Russian novelist who is a credit to his culture, not a criminal.

Sincerely,

Paul Levine

Professor Emeritus, Copenhagen University

Я пишу, чтобы поддержать Олега Сенцова, который сейчас находится в Сибири и голодовка которого угрожает его жизни.

Призываю власти Российской Федерации освободить его из тюрьмы и позаботиться о восстановлении его здоровья.

Сенцов – отважный писатель, который является не преступником, а достоянием своей культуры.

Искренне,

Пол Левин (Paul Levine),

Заслуженный профессор, Университет Копенгагена

***

In care of Oleg Sentsov:

Thinking of you, Oleg Sentsov, hoping to give you a bit of courage to continue your struggle.

All the best.

Aase Schmidt, Danish-pen.

 

В поддержку Олега Сенцова,

Олег, мы думаем о тебе, и надеемся поделиться с тобой отвагой, которая поможет тебе в твоей борьбе.

С наилучшими пожеланиями,

Аазе Шмидт (Aase Schmidt),

Датский ПЕН-клуб.

***

Dear Oleg Sentsov,

My thoughts are with you!

Your sacrifice is immense and very important!

You risk your life for the sake of such important issues and people.

I am humbled at your selfless action on behalf of humanity and democracy, and I want to send you my deepest respect!

Hold on, never give up, you are not alone!

My thoughts are with you!

With my very best wishes,

Ulrikka Gernes

Danish poet

 

Дорогой Олег Сенцов,

Мои мысли с вами!

Жертва, которую вы приносите, огромна и очень важна.

Вы рискуете своей жизнью за важное дело и людей.

Я ошеломлена вашей самоотверженностью во имя человечности и демократии, и хотела бы, чтобы вы знали о глубочайшем уважении, которое я испытываю.

Держитесь и никогда не сдавайтесь, вы не одиноки!

Мои мысли с вами!

Ульрика Гернес (Ulrikka Gernes),

Датская поэтесса

***

Dear Oleg Sentsov,

We follow your heroic struggle for justice, support you and wish you all the best.

Kindest regards,

Hanne Marie Svendsen,

member of Danish PEN

 

Дорогой Олег Сенцов,

Мы следуем за твоей отважной борьбой, поддерживаем тебя и желаем тебе всего наилучшего.

Искренне,

Енн Мари Свендсен (Hanne Marie Svendsen),

член PEN Дания

Fra Tora-fængslet i Kairo, af digteren Galal El-Behairy

A Letter from Tora Prison

pablo (28)

Opening:

You, something

in the heart, unspoken,

something

in the throat, the last wish

of a man on the gallows

when the hour of hanging comes,

the great need

for oblivion; you, prison

and death, free of charge;

you, the truest meaning of man,

the word “no”—

I kiss your hand

and, preparing for the trial,

put on a suit and pray

for your Eid to come.

I’m the one

who escaped from the Mamluks,

I’m the child

whose father’s name is Zahran,

and I swim in your name, addiction.

I’m the companion of outlawed poets.

O my oblivion, I’m the clay

that precedes the law of concrete.

 

In the heart of this night

I own nothing

but my smile.

I take my country in my arms

and talk to her

about all the prisoners’ lives… out there

beyond the prison’s borders,

beyond the jailer’s grasp,

and about man’s need… for his fellow man,

about a dream

that was licit

and possible,

about a burden

that could be borne

if everyone took part in it.

 

I laugh at a song

they call “criminal,”

which provoked them

to erect a hundred barricades.

On our account, they block out the sun

and the thoughts in the head.

They want to hide the past

behind locks and bolts,

preventing him from whispering

about how things once were.

They want to hide him

by appointing guards—

weak-minded foreigners

estranged from the people.

But what wonder is this?

His fate is written

in all the prison cells.

His cell has neither bricks

nor steel,

and he was not defeated

within it.

Outside… a squadron of slaves.

Inside… a crucified messiah.

The thorns above his brow

are witnesses: You betrayed his revolution

with your own hands.

With shame in your eyes, you

are the Judases of the past,

whatever your religion, whatever

miniscule vision you have.

We’ve come back

and we see you.

 

You who imprisoned

the light, that naked groaning.

The light doesn’t care

how tall the fence is;

it’s not hemmed in

by steel bars

or officers’ uniforms.

It cannot be forgotten.

You can take a public square away from us,

but there are thousands and thousands of others,

and I’ll be there, waiting for you.

Our land will not betray us.

With each olive branch

we’re weaving your shrouds.

And the young man you killed

has come back, awake now

and angry.

He’s got a bone to pick

with his killer.

He’s got a bone to pick

with the one who betrayed him,

the one who, on that night of hope,

acquiesced, fell silent, and slept.

His wound has healed; he’s come back,

a knight

without a bridle;

he’s setting up the trial

while an imam prays among us

and illumines the one who was blind;

he’s rolling up his sleeves, preparing

for a fight;

he was killed—yes, it’s true—and yet

he has his role in this epic;

he stands there now

and holds his ground.

 

We’ve returned

to call on God

and proclaim it: “We’ve come back,

come back

hand in hand.”

Again we proclaim it: “We’ve come back,

and we vow

to spread the light,

the new dawn,

the keen-sighted conscience.”

We’ve come back, and we can smell

the fear in in your veins;

and our cheers tonight

are the sweetest of all:

“We are not afraid.

We are not afraid.”

 

We saw a country

rise from sleep

to trample a pharaoh

and cleanse the age

of the cane and cudgel.

We saw a country sing:

those were no slave songs,

no harbingers of doom, rather

songs fitting

for a new kind of steel.

We saw it.

We saw a country

where no one is oppressed.

Galal El-Behairy, the Tora Prison, Cairo, May 2018

Translated from Egyptian Colloquial Arabic. Due to the potential for political repercussions against himself and his family, the translator of this poem has chosen to remain anonymous.

Grove krænkelser af ytringsfriheden og menneskerettighederne i Egypten

Egypt’s grim blow on freedom of expression and human rights:

the tortured poet Galal El-Behairy must be freed

8 May 2018

The President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

The Egyptian Minister of Justice Mohamed Hossam Abdel-Rahim

The Egyptian Minister of the Interior Magdy Abdel Ghaffa

The Egyptian Public Prosecutor

The Egyptian Military Public Prosecutor

The Egyptian poet Galal El-Behairy is currently detained and faces charges in the Military Court related to his latest book of poetry, ‘The Finest Women on Earth’ (خير نسوان الأرض), published earlier in 2018. El-Behairy likewise faces charges for writing the lyrics for artist Ramy Essam’s song ‘Balaha’ in a separate case investigated by the High State Security Prosecution. He was arrested, beaten and tortured after the release of the song.

On May 6, 2018, El-Behairy was given the information that the verdict will be given on May 9 by the Military Court. Charges against him in the Military Court case include insulting the military and spreading false news.

Ramy Essam’s song and music video Balaha was released on February 26, 2018. Soon after the release of the song, which criticizes the government and policies of Egypt, various pro-state TV hosts launched a smear campaign against Essam and El-Behairy.

On March 3, 2018 El-Behairy was arrested, and his whereabouts were not disclosed to his family or lawyers until he appeared before the High State Security Prosecution one week later, on March 10, 2018. He showed signs of severe torture and beating, and the High State Security Prosecution ordered him to undergo forensic medical examination.

On May 6, 2018 Galal El-Behairy attended a trial in the Military Court, and to a great surprise, was given the information that the verdict will be given already in three days, on May 9, on the case that handles the content of his book of poetry.

At the same time, El-Behairy is being investigated by the High State Security Prosecution for both ‘The Finest Women on Earth’ (خير نسوان الأرض) and the lyrics he wrote for ‘Balaha’. The High State Security charges against him include joining a terrorist organization, spreading false news, abuse of social media networks, blasphemy, contempt of religion, and insulting the military. An arrest warrant in the same case has been issued against Ramy Essam related to the song ‘Balaha’.

We, the undersigned PEN centres, stand in solidarity with Galal El-Behairy and Ramy Essam and urge Egyptian authorities to:

  • Drop all charges against Galal El-Behairy, in both the Military Court and the High State Security Court, in connection with the book of poetry ‘The Finest Women on Earth’ and the lyrics of ‘Balaha’, and release him immediately and unconditionally, as he is being held solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression;
  • Ensure that Galal El-Behairy receives a fair trial, full legal representation, adequate medical care, and full access to family visits whilst detained;
  • Ensure the safety of Galal El-Behairy and his family and end all forms of harassment, intimidation, and attacks against them;
  • Drop all charges against and the arrest warrant for Ramy Essam, as he too has been peacefully practicing his legal right of freedom of expression;
  • Ensure that the right to freedom of expression in Egypt is fully respected in law and practice as provided for under the Egyptian Constitution and under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Egypt is a state party; and
  • Ensure that Egypt respects the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) to which Egypt is a state party.

Venla Hiidensalo, President, Finnish PEN

Per Øhrgaard, President, Danish PEN

William Nygaard, President, Norwegian PEN

Jesper Bengtsson, President, Swedish PEN

PEN International

Hilsen fra Asli Erdogan, fængslede tyrkiske forfatter og æresmedlem af Dansk PEN

Kære Mille Rode,

kære PEN-medlemmer

Jeg gik i seng i går aftes til nyheden om, at tre politikere var blevet fængslet. Og vågnede op til nyheden om politiaktionen mod Cumhuryiet, en af de ældste aviser i Tyrkiet, en højborg for socialt demokrati. Indtil nu er et dusin journalister taget i forvaring.

Og i søndags blev “Özgür Gündem” lukket, igen, for anden gang! Nu er det tydeligt, at politiaktionen kun fandt sted med henblik på arrestationer.

Jeg var det perfekte mål, “heksen”, der skulle brændes. Det er elleve uger siden, jeg blev fængslet, og selvfølgelig har jeg endnu ikke set en dommer.

Jeg ønsker faktisk ikke at skrive om fængslet, en form for eksistens, hvor man hverken er levende eller død. Mit eneste bånd til livet er de stemmer, der når mig udefra, breve, postkort, solidaritetsarrangementer.

Jeg er jer taknemlig, allesammen, og jeg håber oprigtigt, at jeg en dag vil kunne udtrykke min taknemlighed langt bedre, måske ved at komme selv.

Alt godt,

Asli Erdogan

31.10.2016

Bangladesh: militant islamist anholdt for angreb på forlag

I Bangladesh har militante grupper angrebet og dræbt journalister, bloggere og forlæggere gentagende gange i sidste par år, uden at nogen er blevet retsforfulgt. Dog ser det nu omsider ud til, at der er kommet et gennembrud i sagen om angrebet på Shuddashar Publishing House i oktober 2015. 

Et formodet medlem af en kriminel islamisk gruppe er anholdt og sigtet for at have deltaget i angrebet på Shuddhashar Publishing House i Bangladesh. Anklagede, Mohammed Sumon Hussain, er angiveligt medskyldig i angrebet på forlægger Ahmed Rahim Tutul, samt forfatterne Ranadeep Basu og Tareque Rahim. Forlaget publicerede sekulære tekster og bøger af bl.a. forfatter Aviit Roy som ligeledes blev dræbt sidste år.

Trods dette, er de generelle forhold for sekulariser i Bangladesh stadig under al kritik. Ejeren af forlaget Ba-Dwip Prakashan Publishing House, Shamsuzzoha Manik, sidder fortsat fængslet og anklaget for religionskritik. Han står bl.a. bag en blog for sekulær debat. Manik risikerer op til 14 års fængsel hvis han dømmes skyldig, mens Xulhaz Mannan, tidligere redaktør på magasinet Roopbaan, i april i år, blev dræbt i sit hjem af en militant islamisk gruppe, fordi han skrev åbent om homoseksuelles rettigheder.

 

Ahmed Rahim Tulul - 2015 Bangladesh

Ahmed Rahim Tutul efter angrebet i oktober 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dansk PEN: Benåd Raif Badawi

International PEN:Dansk PEN protesterer mod Saudi-Arabiens højesterets stadfæstelse af dommen over Raif Badawi.

Dansk PEN er dybt rystede over nyheden om, at Saudi Arabisens højesteret har stadfæstet den groteske dom over den saudiske redaktør og blogger Raif Badawi. Vi opfordrer nu kong Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud til ufortøvet at benåde Badawio-RAIF-BADAWI-facebook Badawi blev i april 2014 idømt ti års fængsel, en bøde på 1,6 mio. dollars, ti års tab af civile rettigheder samt 1000 stokkeslag, eksekveret hver uge på en offentlig plads efter fredagsbønnen, med 50 slag ad gangen. Badawi blev fængslet i 2012, anklaget for at have fornærmet islam og for at have etableret en hjemmeside, hvorfra han opfordrede til dannelse af et netværk for kritisk tænkning. Dansk PEN mener at dommen over Badawi er en klar krænkelse af hans ytringsfrihed. Den 9. januar 2015 modtog Raif Badawi de første 50 stokkeslag. Det medførte en bred international fordømmelse og siden da er stokkeslagene blevet midlertidigt udsat.

Dansk PEN har siden januar demonstreret hver torsdag, sammen med Amnesty Internationals danske afdeling, foran den Saudi Arabiske ambassade i København. Vi har desuden, ligeledes sammen med Amnesty, skrevet gentagende gange til den saudiske konge og til landets ambassadør i Danmark i protest mod dommen over Badawi og hans advokat Waleed Abu al-Khair, der er idømt 15 års fængsel for at forsvare sin klient. Vi har skrevet til den danske udenrigsminister og til Danmarks repræsentation i Geneve i håb om, at de ville rejse sagen overfor de saudiske myndigheder. Foreløbig er intet sket.

Det er skuffende og dybt foruroligende, at domstolen har valgt at fastholde dommen over Raif Badawi. Hans tekster og protester har hele vejen igennem været fredelige og han har blot gjort brug af sin ret til at tænke og tale frit, som den er udtrykt i FNs menneskerettighedserklæring. Dommen er ude af proportioner og må opfattes som statuering af et eksempel, der har til hensigt at skræmme enhver politisk eller kulturel opposition i landet.

Dansk PEN har skrevet til Kong Salman og appelleret til, at han går ind i denne sag og sikrer, at Raif Badawi ikke udsættes for yderligere stokkeslag, samt at han benytter sig af sin mulighed for at få Raif Badawi og Waleed Abu al-Khair frigivet. Vi opfordrer desuden den danske regering til at følge Sveriges eksempel. Regeringen bør klart og utvetydigt protestere mod dommen overfor de saudiske myndigheder, samt i lyset af Saudi-Arabiens massive krænkelser af menneskerettighederne, tage de danske relationer til landet op til fornyet overvejelse.

Raif Badawi er æresmedlem af Dansk PEN.

Demonstration ved ambassaden hver torsdag ml. 16.30 og 17.00

Sammen med Amnesty Internationals danske afdeling har medlemmer af Dansk PEN siden januar demonstreret foran den Saudi Arabiske ambassade hver torsdag kl. 16.30 til 17.00. Med søndagens afgørelse er disse protester, der foregår verden over, blot blevet vigtigere.

Ambassadens adresse er Omøgade 8, på Østerbro I København.

Vi håber at rigtig mange vil være med til at protestere nu på torsdag, den 11. juni. Og alle de følgende torsdage. Man er også meget velkommen til at sende en skriftlig protest til ambassaden.

International PEN’s RAPID ACTION 08 June 20 / Update #8 to RAN 02/13 

Saudi Arabia: Supreme Court confirms sentence of editor Raif Badawi  On 7 June 2015, the Saudi Supreme Court confirmed the sentence of 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes imposed on editor Raif (or Raef) Badawi after conviction of “insulting Islam” and “founding a liberal website.” The 7 June 2015 decision of the Supreme Court is final. Badawi received the first 50 of 1,000 lashes in January 2015, however all subsequent sessions scheduled to take place weekly have been postponed.

PEN International continues to call for Badawi’s conviction to be overturned and for him to be released immediately and unconditionally and for his sentence of flogging to be halted immediately, as it violates the absolute prohibition in international law against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

PEN International also reiterates its call for the release of Badawi’s lawyer Waleed Abu al-Khair, who is serving a 15-year prison sentence in connection with his peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression.

For extracts of Raif Badawi’s writings in English and Arabic click here 

TAKE ACTION: Share on FaceBook, Twitter and other social media Please send appeals: 〈         Urging the Saudi Arabian authorities to release Raif Badawi and his lawyer Walid Abu al-Khair immediately and unconditionally as they are being held solely for their peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression;

〈         Calling for Raif Badawi’s sentence of flogging to be overturned immediately as it violates the absolute prohibition in international law against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment;

〈         In the meantime, calling for both men to be granted all necessary medical treatment and access to their families and lawyers of their choice;

〈         Calling on Saudi Arabia to ratify, without reservation, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Appeals to be sent to:

His Majesty King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al SaudThe Custodian of the two Holy MosquesOffice of His Majesty the KingRoyal Court, RiyadhKingdom of Saudi Arabia

Fax: (via Ministry of the Interior) +966 1 403 3125

Salutation: Your Majesty

Crown Prince and Minister of the InteriorHis Royal Highness Prince Naif bin Abdul Aziz Al SaudMinistry of the Interior

P.O.Box 2933,

Airport Road, Riyadh 11134

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Fax: +966 1 403 3125

Salutation: Your Excellency

Minister of JusticeHis Excellency Shaykh Dr Mohammed bin Abdulkareem Al-Issa Ministry of Justice, University Street Riyadh 11137 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Fax: + 966 1 401 1741 + 966 11 402 0311 Salutation: Your Excellency

Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Saudi Arabia in your country if possible.

***Please send appeals immediately. Check with PEN International if sending appeals after 08 July 2015. Please send us copies of any appeals you send and of any responses you receive***

Background Raef Badawi was arrested on 17 June 2012 in Jeddah after organising a conference to mark a “day of liberalism”. The conference, which was to have taken place in Jeddah on 7 May, was banned by the authorities. On 29 July 2013, a court in Jeddah sentenced Badawi to seven years and three months in prison and 600 lashes after he was convicted under the information technology law of “founding a liberal website,” “adopting liberal thought” and for “insulting Islam”. The online forum, Liberal Saudi Network – created to foster political and social debate in Saudi Arabia – was ordered closed by the judge. According to reports, the appeal, submitted by Badawi’s lawyer, Walid Abu al-Khair, cited procedural and evidential reasons why the conviction should be overturned and Badawi should be freed.

In December 2013, it was reported that the Court of Appeal had reversed the ruling of the District Court in Jeddah, ordering that Badawi’s case be sent for review by another court. Badawi, who suffers from diabetes, is reported to be in poor health. On 7 May 2014, Jeddah’s Criminal Court sentenced Badawi to 10 years in prison, 1,000 lashes and a fine of 1 million Saudi riyals (approx. US$266,631) on charges of ‘insulting Islam’ and ‘founding a liberal website.’ According to PEN’s information, when Badawi appeared in court to collect a written account of the verdict on 28 May 2014 he discovered the insertion of two additional penalties: a 10-year travel ban and 10-year ban from participating in visual, electronic and written media, both to be applied following his release.

For more information about his case, please read PEN’s interview with his wife Ensaf Haidar here.

According to the Centre For Inquiry (CFI), in an article dated 17 September 2014, the Saudi appeals court in Mecca confirmed the sentence against Badawi, and ordered that the lashes should be administered 50 at the time, in public, every week after Friday Prayers. The first 50 lashes were given outside al-Jafali mosque in the port city of Jeddah on 9 January 2015. The following week, the authorities postponed Badawi’s flogging on medical grounds after a doctor said wounds from the previous lashing had not healed.

On 16 January 2015 his wife Ensaf Haider, who lives in Canada with the couple’s three young children, said that King Abdullah had referred the case to the Supreme Court. On 1 March, Ensaf Haider said that she had received information that Badawi could face the death penalty.  The same day, his family posted the following information on Facebook: ‘We … received confirmed information that the Supreme Court has referred Raif case to the same judge, who sentenced Raif with flogging and 10 years imprisonment. This judge is biased against Raif. He has twice requested that Raif be charged with ‘apostasy’.

His request was declined at the time on the ground that the Criminal court has no jurisdiction on cases that lead to death penalty. However, due to a new regulation issued by the Supreme Judicial Council on 19.09.2014, the Penal court has now jurisdiction over major cases, which are punishable by the death penalty, amputation and stoning. We have reasons to believe without any doubts that the same judge has again asked the Head of the Court of Apeal [sic] to charge Raif with ‘Apostasy’. It should be mentioned that this judge stated in his written verdict against Raif, that he has proof and is confident that Raif is an apostate’

On 7 June 2015, the Supreme Court confirmed Badawi’s sentence of 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes, as well as a 10-year travel ban following his release.

PEN International is also calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Badawi’s lawyer, Waleed Abu Al-Khair who was arrested on 15 April 2014. Waleed Abu Al-Khair is a lawyer, human rights activist and founding member of the Monitor of Human Rights in Saudi Arabia (MHRSA) who has also written many articles.

On 4 February 2014, the Court of Appeal confirmed a three-month sentence against Abu Al-Khair imposed after he had been convicted of contempt of the judiciary. According to PEN’s information, Abu Al-Khair was arrested at the Specialised Criminal Court in Riyadh while he attended the fifth session of his trial for other charges made against him in 2013, which include: “breaking allegiance to and disobeying the ruler and disrespecting the authorities”, “offending the judiciary”, “inciting international organisations against the Kingdom” and “founding an unlicensed organization” (Monitor of Human Rights in Saudi Arabia), and supervising it and contributing to the establishment of another (the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association – ACPRA); and “preparing, storing and sending material harmful to public order”. Initially held in Al Hair prison, where there were concerns that he may have been subjected to ill-treatment, Abu al-Khair was transferred on 27 May 2014 to Briman prison in Jeddah.

On 6 July 2014, the Specialized Criminal Court, Saudi Arabia’s terrorism tribunal, sentenced him to 10 years’ actual imprisonment, with another five years’ imprisonment which were suspended, a 15-year ban on travel abroad, and a fine of 200,000 Saudi Riyals (equivalent to approximately US$53,000) on a number of broad and vaguely worded charges that are believed to stem solely from his peaceful activism, including comments to news outlets and on Twitter criticizing Saudi human rights violations. On 11 August 2014 he was moved again to al-Malaz prison in Riyadh, over 960 kilometers from his family in Jeddah The Public Prosecutor appealed the sentence at the Court of Appeal in Riyadh, which on 15 January 2015 ruled that he should serve the entire 15-year sentence in prison, on the grounds that he had not shown any contrition for his “offence”. According to MHRSA, Abu al-Khair refused to recognize the legitimacy of the court or defend himself against the charges. He also refused to sign a copy of the trial judgment or to appeal the conviction or his sentence. MHRSA stated on 12 August 2014 that it believes his prison transfers are a punitive measure for Abu al-Khair’s refusal to recognize the court.

Abu Al-Khair is the recipient of the 2012 Olof Palme Prize. Under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ‘[e]veryone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers’. Criminalisation of the peaceful criticism of public officials and institutions violates international human rights law. Corporal punishment such as flogging also violates the absolute prohibition under international law of all forms of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Article 18 of the UDHR states that, ‘[e]veryone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief’.

For further information, please contact Cathy McCann at PEN International, Brownlow House, 50/51 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6ER, Tel.: +44 (0) 20 7405 0338, Fax: +44 (0) 20 7405 0339, Email: cathy.mccann@pen-international.org 

Erbey: ”Jeg tager imod prisen for Kobanê”

Muharrem Erbey
Foto: Murat Kuseyri

Af Necati Harmankaya, PhD

I ugens løb kunne den kurdiske kultur- og politiske elite være stolte af en endnu en prestigefyldt ærespris i rækken af flere de seneste år. Organisationen for forfatteres ytringsfrihed, PEN, der snart fylder 100 år på verdensplan, har en afdeling i Sverige, som i en lang årrække har haft fingeren på pulsen ift., hvad der rører sig i kurdiske egne. For knap 2 uger siden meddelte bestyrelsen, at man i år havde fundet den tidligere formand for Foreningen for Menneskerettigheder (IHD) i Diyarbakir, Muharrem Erbey, værdig for årets Tucholskypris. Prisen forklarer PEN ved, at Erbey “gennem sit sproglige og sociale engagement med fredlige middler har forsvaret sit sprog og minoriteters kulturelle rettigheder.”

Muharrem Erbey blev den tredje kurder gennem tiden, der har modtaget prisen. De tidligere var Sherko Bekas og Salim Bereket.

Modtagelsen af Tucholskypris vakte forventeligt stor glæde hos Erbey som hans nære venner, der solidt har værnet om Erbey under hans tid i Diyarbakirs berygtede fængsel under de såkalte KCK-anklager. Under min samtale med ham lagde han ikke skjul på henrykkelsen herfor:

”Flere svenske intellektuelle har ikke tilbageholdt deres støtte og humanitære forståelse for situationen. Støtten særligt fra svenske PEN har været massiv og samvittighedsfuld. Sverige er et koldt land, men menneskerne er varme. Under de iskolde dage bag tremmerne, varmede vore svenske venners solidariske breve vores hjerter. Det var fortrinligt, at de varme følelser fandt genklang mellem linjerne.”

Støtten blev ikke fortolket alene venskabeligt:

”Vi er menneskerettighedsforkæmpere, men vores kurdiske identitet står frem som det første. Vi kan således samtidig forstå denne opbakning som en støtte til demokratisering af Tyrkiet.”

Han noterede dog, at med Sverige i spidsen, så burde skandinaviske lande, der generelt er mere tolerante og demokratiske, udvise større mod til at sætte pres på Tyrkiet for at rydde forhindringen for basale menneskerettigheder af vejen.

”Det kurdiske folk har rejst sig mod assimilation 29 gange under de sidste to århundreder. AKP-regeringen kom til magten med løfter om et paradigmeskifte, men fra og med 2005 så vi til et andet ansigt af administrationen.”

Muharrem Erbey
Foto: Murat Kuseyri

Tiden i fængslet, sultestrejken og fredsprocessen

Muharrem Erbey blev juleaften 2009 bragt i forhør under anklager om medlemskab af KCK, Kurdistan Associations Union, og sad varetægtsfængslet i 10 måneder før retten modtog anklageskriften. Dernæst fulgte sammenlagt 4,5 år i fængslet – en skæbne som snarligt sagt 5.000 andre civile ligesindede delte. Dette skal ikke forstås som det lyder, forstod jeg på Muharrem Erbey:

”I fængslet lærer man sig at fordøje indtryk, følelser og tanker på en mere overbevisende måde. Tiden er værdsat og bliver sat i perspektiv. For det første var vi meget orienteret om udviklingen udenfor – til tider mere end pårørende på besøg. Men det gav mig personligt også mulighed for at afsondre mig fra det monotone og opfarende liv, vi på en måde var løsrevet fra.”

Læs mere Erbey: ”Jeg tager imod prisen for Kobanê”

Fængslede Forfatteres Dag 15. november

Azimjon Askarov

Journalist, Kirgisistan

Azimjon Askarov er journalist og en del af Kirgisistans usbekiske minoritet. Hans journalistiske arbejde har især drejet sig om at afsløre korruption. I juni 2010, i forbindelse med de etniske uroligheder i Osh og Jalal-Abad, blev han arresteret og den 15. september blev han dømt for at have organiseret forstyrrelse af den offentlige orden samt for at være medskyldig i drabet på en politimand. Han blev idømt fængsel på livstid.

FNs Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination og andre uafhængige observatører har erklæret, at Askarov ikke har fået en retfærdig rettergang. En officiel undersøgelse bestilt af regeringens egen ombudsmand for menneskerettigheder konkluderer, at Askarov ikke engang var på gerningsstedet forud for mordet på politimanden, og således ikke har medvirket til drabet. PEN er af den opfattelse, at Askarov er dømt, alene fordi han har skrevet kritisk om korruption indenfor politiet og mener, at han skal løslades øjeblikkeligt og uden betingelser.

Baggrund:

Askarov, 61, har ikke altid været journalist. Som et praktisk og kreativt menneske, studerede han kunst på universitetet, og arbejdede de første 15 år af sit voksenliv som maler og dekoratør. Han gik først ind i journalistik i midten af 90’erne, hvor han bidrog til Golos Svobody (Voice of Freedom) and the Ferghana News Agency. Han gjorde hurtigt sig selv upopulær blandt myndighederne ved at afsløre lokal korruption; hans undersøgelser af politiets involvering i kriminelle aktiviteter skal angiveligt have ført til ti politifolks fyringer.

Sagen kort

Askarov fastholder at han ikke deltog i sammenstødene i 2010, men at han brugte tid på at dokumentere det der foregik: han tog fotografier af ofrene (både kirgisere og usbekere), lavede omfattende noter, og identificerede lig på det lokale lighus. Han skrev også, at han var vidne til at det kirgisiske politi skød etniske usbekere.

Beviserne mod Askarov er almindeligt anset af menneskerettigheds NGO’er for at være konstruerede. Siden hans anholdelse har han gentagne gang klaget over at være blevet slået og truet, også under retssagen. Disse påstande er blevet bakket op af uafhængige vidner. En undersøgelse, som blev gennemført i 2012 af den internationale NGO Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) har konkluderet, at Askarovs helbred ikke kun er blevet forværret, men at der var klinisk bevis for skader på hjernen, hvilket stemmer overens med hans påstande om tortur. I november 2012 har Askarovs advokat indgivet en klage til FNs menneskerettighedskommission.

Askarovs støtter har adskillige gange forsøgt at få genåbnet hans sag, da de har troværdige beviser for, at han ikke fik en retfærdig rettergang, og at han er blevet udsat for tortur. I april 2014, har Askarovs forsvarer overtalt Oktyabrsky District Court i Bishkek til at genåbne efterforskningen. Dog blev denne beslutning omgjort den 12. juni 2014 af byretten i Bishkek. Hans forsvarer har appelleret til højesteret, som den 3.september 2014 afslog hans appel for en ny gennemgang af sagen.

En række journalister og menneskeretsforkæmpere mener, at myndighederne er tilbageholdende med at genåbne Askarovs sag, simpelthen fordi han besidder for meget information, som implicerer politi og politikere i volden i 2010. Andre fremsætter, at præsident Atambayev frygter, at løsladelsen af den usbekiske journalist måske vil føre til vold i den sydlige del af Kirgisistan. Både nationale og internationale NGO’er risikerer chikane, hvis de arbejder for Askarovs sag.

Askarov var æresgæst in absentia ved PENs internationale kongres i Bishkek i september 2014, hvor hans kone Hadicha Askarova, fremførte en rørende appel for PENs delegerede. Under kongressen tog en delegation fra PEN Askarovs sag op under private møder med både præsident Atambayev og med statsanklageren Aida Salyanova.

I 2011 vandt Askarov People in Needs “Homo Homini Award”, som en anerkendelse af hans engagement til at fremme menneskerettigheder, demokrati og ikke-voldelige løsninger på politiske konflikter.” I 2012 modtog han Committee to Protect Journalists Internationale Pressefriheds Pris.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honduras: PEN Honduras appellerer til Højesteret i et sidste forsøg på at løfte det forbud mod at arbejde der er udstedt mod journalist Julio Ernesto Alvarados.

julio

17 Oktober 2014

Journalist og medstifter af PEN Honduras, Julio Ernesto Alvarado, skal idag møde i Højesteret sammen med andre journalister og medlemmer af PEN Honduras, i et sidste forsøg på at få omstødt det 16 måneders lange forbud mod at fungerer som journalist.

Julio Ernesto Alvarado, der er direktør for Globo TVs nyhedsprogram ‘Mi Nación’ blev i December 2013 idømt 16 måneders fængsel og et forbud mod at arbejde på tilsvarende 16 måneder, efter at have dækket en korruptionssag. PEN opfatter dommen mod Alvarado som politisk motiveret og en klar krænkelse af hans ytringsfrihedsret.

 

PEN og WiPC tager afstand fra dom over Pussy Riot

Pussy Riot bandmedlemmer idømt to års fængsel

 

 

PEN’s Writers in Prison Comittee (WiPC) er chokeret over dommen på to års fængsel til de tre kvinder, fra punkbandet Pussy Riot: Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Ekaterina Samusevich.

 

De tre kvinder har siddet varetægtsfængslet siden begyndelsen af marts måned og har ventet på retssagen, der først fandt sted i slutningen af juli.

Den 17. august faldt dommen på to års ophold i en lukket russisk arbejdslejr.

 

Under selve retssagen sad kvinderne i et politiovervåget skudsikkert glasbur. Anklageren og dennes vidner påstod, at Pussy Riots protest “vidnede om et dybt had til alle ortodokse kristne” og at deres protestsang “intet havde at gøre med Putins regime”, som de tre kvinder påstår.

 

PEN International var til stede under retssagen, hvor forsvaret igen og igen blev nægtet at gøre indsigelser, at indkalde vidner eller i det hele taget at få lov til at tale kvindernes sag.

Denne repressive fremgangsmåde i russisk retspraksis er yderst bekymrende, og vidner om en støt stigende stramning af ytringsfriheden i dagens Rusland.

 

Dommen faldt knap seks måneder efter de tre bandmedlemmers fængsling og sigtelsen for “hooliganisme motiveret af religiøst had” – en forbrydelse, der kan udløse en straf på op til syv års fængsel.

 

Baggrund:

 

D. 21. februar gik de tre kvinder fra Pussy Riot ind i Christ the Saviour Cathedral i Moskva iført farvede masker og optrådte med en sang, der understregede den tætte forbindelse mellem Putin og den ortodokse kirke.

En dokumenterende videooptagelse af protesten viser, at der hverken skete vold på tilstedeværende personer eller inventar i kirken. PEN International mener, at sangens tekst og selve fremførslen lå for tæt på den form, der almindeligvis bruges i tilbedelsen af Jomfru Maria – og at det er derfor Pussy Riot bliver straffet så alvorligt.

 

Den hårde fængselsdom af de tre kvinder har skabt oprør verden over i både den trykte presse og (måske især) i alle netbaserede sociale medier, og sætter fokus på Ruslands stigende problemer med ytringsfriheden.

 

For more information on the case see our RAN alert’s:

http://www.pen-international.org/newsitems/russia-pussy-riot-trial-closes-%E2%80%93-verdict-due-17-august/

 

PEN International published a translation of their “punk prayer” Punk Moleben and its context:

http://www.pen-international.org/newsitems/russia-pussy-riot-punk-moleben-put-putin-away/

 

PEN Russia’s open letter to Vladimir Putin in support of Pussy Riot members:

http://www.pen-international.org/newsitems/pen-russia-protests-pussy-riot-detentions/

 

We also recommend articles and tweets by Guardian Moscow correspondent Miriam Elder who was present at the trial @MiriamElder

 

Appeals

 

Please send letters

 

Expressing shock at the two year sentences served against Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Ekaterina Samusevich;

 

Adding that long term imprisonment for an action that did not cause physical damage to any person, building or property  would in other circumstances have resulted in a lesser punishment, caution or financial penalty ;

 

Pointing out that the harsh sentence is clearly in retaliation for the lyrics of the song performed by Pussy Riot members, containing language that is strongly critical of the Church and of President Putin in particular, and is this in breach of  international conventions, specifically Article 19 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights, to which Russia is a signatory;

 

Therefore calling for the immediate and unconditional release of the three women.

 

Address

 

You can send messages to President Putin on the Kremlin website

http://eng.letters.kremlin.ru/

 

Or by mail:

 

President Vladimir Putin

President of the Russian Federation

23, Ilyinka Street, Moscow, 103132

Russia

 

You may find that the Russian ambassador in your own country is more likely to respond to your appeals, so we recommend that you either write to him or her directly or send a copy of your appeal. You can find the Russian embassy in your country here.

 

Messages of solidarity to the prisoners can be sent via the FreePussyRiot website: www.freepussyriot.org

For further information please contact Sara Whyatt at PEN International Writers in Prison Committee of PEN International, Brownlow House, 50-51 High Holborn, London WC1V 6ER Tel: +44 (02) 20 7405 0338 Fax: +44 (0) 20 74050339 Email: sara.whyatt@pen-international.org

 

To unsubscribe from this mailing list please reply with “Unsubscribe” in the subject title

Sara Whyatt | Deputy Director | Sous-Directeur | Sub-Directora | PEN International

t. +44 (0)20 7405 0338 | m. +44 (0)7824640527 | e. Twitter | Facebook | www.pen-international.org

Celebrating 90 years of promoting literature and defending freedom of expression

 

International PEN is trading as PEN International. International PEN is a company registered in England and Wales with registration number 05683997. International PEN is a registered charity in England and Wales with registration number 1117088. International PEN’s registered office is Brownlow House, 50-51 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6ER, UK.

 

 

Mette Thelin, informationsmedarbejder

 

Dansk PEN

Dronningensgade 14

1420 København K

Telefon +45 32 95 44 17

Mobil +45 40 45 44 19