Freemuse Defending Artistic Freedom
Freemuse initiates and organises several campaigns and advocacy initiatives for musicians and composers at risk. Freemuse has also provided substantial support to persecuted and prosecuted artists.
Current Freemuse campaigns
Currently Freemuse (openly) campaigns for the release of the following artists. Other cases are under investigation or involve non-public actions.
Mehdi Rajabian along with his brother Hossein and filmmaker Yousef Emadi have been sentenced to three years in prison in Iran for their art and their business to produce, promote and spread music across Iran.
Freemuse and the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran along with 14 other human rights and arts organisations call on the Iranian authorities to drop all charges against the two musicians and a filmmaker and release all imprisoned artists.
On 28 January 2015, rapper El Dkano (real name: Maikel Oksobo) was sentenced to a year in prison in Havana. It is generally believed he was targeted for having used music to express his dissenting political opinions.
China/Tibet: Freemuse is campaigning for the release of nine imprisoned Tibetan singers, and among other things has requested the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of Cultural Rights to discuss the imprisonment of the nine singers with the Chinese government.
Morocco:
El Haqed
Released after four
months in prison.
Court case still pending
Vietnam:
Hoang Nhat Thong
Sentenced to six
years in prison
Most of the work Freemuse does for musicians is never publicised as it would further endanger artists already living under severe conditions.
Freemuse support includes:
– Publicising cases at freemuse.org and artsfreedom.freemuse.org
– Organising campaigns for the release of prosecuted musicians and composers
– Alerting and briefing network partners and media on cases
– Advising musicians at risk
– Providing legal and financial assistance
– Conducting prison visits
– Verifying cases to lawyers and organisations involved in asylum cases and support for artists at risk
– Providing platforms for censored artists
– Linking censored artists to festivals and conferences
– Highlighting specific cases at events such as the annual Music Freedom Day, 3 March
– Advocating for safe cities/residencies for musicians at risk
– Advocating for artistic freedom of expression at UN and towards Freedom of Expression and Artists’ organisations
– Initiating a global network for artistic freedom – artsfex.org
– Presenting cases at international conferences and events
– Creating regional and local support networks for musicians at risk
Freemuse depends on financial support to conduct this work and consequently has to make priorities.
Previous Freemuse campaigns
Previous campaigns include the three year long campaign and support for Lapiro de Mbanga, the successful campaign for the release of Iranian singer Arya Aramnejad, and the nominations for international awards to Lapiro de Mbanga, Deeyah and Win Maw.
From 2012–2015, Freemuse campaigned for the release of Viet Khang from Vietnam. He was released on 13 december 2015 after four years in prison.
In 2014-2015, Freemuse campaigned for the release of the Moroccan rapper Abdul Mou’men Al Shuaibi, who was imprisoned four months after having criticised Moroccan Police in a song. He was released in February 2015.
Russia:
Pussy Riot
Two members of the punk band
were each sentenced to two years
in prison.
Released: 23 December 2013
Morocco:
El Haked
Sentenced in May 2012 to one year in prison.
Released: January 2012
Iran / Germany:
Shahin Najafi
Sentenced to death in absentia by
religious authorities in Iran.
Cameroon:
Lapiro de Mbanga
In prison 2008-2011.
Released: 8 April 2011.
Myanmar / Burma:
Wim Maw
In prison 2008-2012.
Released: 13 January 2012.
Turkey:
Ferhat Tunç
For several years Freemuse has
been following the continuous
harassments and court cases
against Ferhat Tunç in Turkey.
Iran:
Arya Aramnejad
Arrested in December 2012 and
convicted to three months in prison.
Released: January 2013.
Freemuse’s Visa Campaign
The Freemuse report ‘Visas / The Discordant Note’ – which was based on input from various European tour and festival organisers and their experiences with visa issuing offices outside Europe – was published in 2009 with various recommendations to these administrators of the visa systems. Since then, numerous reports and events have referred to the document. Read more…
• Freemuse Quick Guide: ‘Artist Visa Applications: Arguments for Success’
Articles and posts
about Freemuse’s campaigns
| Freemuse campaign: Singer Arya Aramnejad released from prison |
| Iranian singer Arya Aramnejad, who was given 91 days prison sentence, is out prison. He was allegedly released due to international reactions. |
| 29 January 2013 |
| Iran: International artists support imprisoned Iranian musician |
| In a letter to the Iranian authorities, world renowned artists join Freemuse in a protest against the imprisonment of their Iranian colleague Arya Aramnejad |
| 16 January 2013 |
| Iran: Singer Arya Aramnejad once again in prison |
| Singer Arya Aramnejad is serving a 91 days prison sentence. Freemuse has once again protested to the Iranian authorities against the imprisonment of the Iranian singer |
| 10 January 2013 |
| Turkey: Ferhat Tunç’s prison sentence turned into speaking ban |
| A court turned Ferhat Tunç’s two years prison sentence for having promoted İbrahim Kaypakkaya into a three year ban on speaking about the same subject |
| 20 December 2012 |
| Cameroon: Petition for musicians |
| LabourStart has launched an online campaign in defense of the hundreds of members of the Musicians Union of Cameroon who were savagely attacked by police |
| 22 November 2012 |
| Freemuse sends appeal letter to president of Vietnam |
| Freemuse requests the attention of the President of Vietnam to the recent imprisonment of two songwriters who have been convicted for anti-state propaganda |
| 05 November 2012 |
| Russia: Pussy Riot member freed, two others to remain in prison |
| A Moscow appeals court freed one of the jailed Pussy Riot members, but upheld the two-year prison sentence for the two others |
| 10 October 2012 |
| Freemuse: Manu Chao supports Freemuse campaign |
| “Freedom of expression is important to anyone and we must fight for it. I am supporting the work of Freemuse and I’m here to help,” says singer Manu Chao |
| 28 August 2012 |
| Russia: Pussy Riot on everyone’s lips |
| Pussy Riot’s court case in Moscow placed musical freedom of expression high on the agenda of the Western media during July and August 2012 |
| 23 August 2012 |
| Russia: Pussy Riot found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison |
| On 17 August a judge announced that the members of Pussy Riot are guilty, and that they “deeply insulted the faith of believers with their disrespectful criminal act” |
| 17 August 2012 |
| Russia: Prosecutor seeks three years sentence for members of Pussy Riot |
| On the seventh day of the legal proceedings, the prosecutor called for a three year prison sentence for the three members of the Pussy Riot punk collective |
| 07 August 2012 |
| Morocco: Rapper El Haked’s sentence upheld in Casablanca’s court of appeal |
| On 27 July 2012, the Casablanca court of appeal upheld the one year prison sentence given to the rapper El Haked in May for a song which is ‘detrimental to public servants’ |
| 01 August 2012 |
| Russia: Freemuse calls for free and fair trial for Pussy Riot |
| Freemuse sends appeals to President Vladimir Putin calling for a fair and free trial for the three band members of Pussy Riot who are to remain in detention until January 2013 |
| 30 July 2012 |
| Turkey: Ferhat Tunç sentenced to two years in prison |
| A court in the eastern province of Malatya sentenced the Kurdish singer on terrorism related charges due to his invocation during a speech he held in 2011 |
| 27 June 2012 |
| Russia: Detention of Pussy Riot members extended again |
| On 20 June 2012, a court ruled to keep three detained band members of Pussy Riot in prison until 24 July while the police probe continues |
| 25 June 2012 |
| Morocco: Call for solidarity with Mouad Belghouat, known as El Haked |
| This letter was sent by Freemuse as a call for solidarity from artists performing at the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music 2012 in Morocco |
| 09 June 2012 |
| Morocco: One year prison sentence for rapper who criticized police |
| The sentencing of rapper El Haked on 11 May 2012 to one year in prison for “insulting the police” shows continuing intolerance for those who criticize state institutions |
| 12 May 2012 |
| Iran: Death sentence against Iranian rapper in Germany |
| A cleric issued a death sentence against Iranian rapper and rock guitarist Shahin Najafi for having produced a song which is believed to be offensive to Imam Naqi |
| 10 May 2012 |
| Iran: Singer Arya Aramnejad prosecuted for his songs |
| 28-year-old Iranian singer Arya Aramnejad, who was recently released after his second term in prison, has been informed he has been given a one-year prison sentence |
| 23 April 2012 |
| Morocco: Drop charges against detained rapper |
| Repressive speech laws enforced despite rights-friendly constitution. Statement and report by Human Rights Watch concerning the imprisoned rapper El Haked |
| 18 April 2012 |
| Morocco: Rapper El Haked arrested again |
| 24-year-old rapper Mouad Belghouat, the Moroccan rapper known as Lhaked or El Haked, was arrested again because of one of his songs |
| 13 April 2012 |
| Myanmar/Burma: Aung San Suu Kyi congratulates Freedom to Create Prize winner |
| A specially recorded congratulatory message for Win Maw from Burma’s pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi |
| 20 November 2011 |
| Myanmar/Burma: Win Maw receives Freedom to Create Imprisoned Artist Prize |
| Burma’s famous musician and human rights activist Win Maw received the 2011 Freedom to Create Imprisoned Artist Prize in absentia |
| 19 November 2011 |
| Myanmar/Burma: Awareness concert and award nomination for imprisoned singer |
| Concert event on 26 November 2011 in Thailand for Win Maw, imprisoned in Burma since 2008, and now shortlisted for the Freedom to Create Prize |
| 16 November 2011 |
| Turkey: Campaign for Kurdish singer and activist Gazin (Raziye Kızıl) |
| A petition addressed to the Turkish Prime Minister to free Gazin who was sentenced to one year in prison for having sung two Kurdish songs |
| 26 October 2011 |
| US visa issues: Two orchestras forced to cancel their concerts |
| An American festival had to cancel two shows and two workshops by international artists due to visa problems and alleged embassy discrimination |
| 26 September 2011 |
| UK: Public letter calls for a new visa system for leading performers |
| A campaign to remove short-term visiting artists from the unnecessary bureaucracy nears a policy breakthrough, according to its campaigners |
| 01 August 2011 |
| Cameroon: Lapiro back in court |
| Singer Lapiro de Mbanga has filed a case against the Chief Medical Officer of the Douala Central Prison for having denied him access to medical attention while in prison |
| 20 June 2011 |
| Singer and politician Ferhat Tunç receives violence threats |
| A gendarmerie commander reportedly ordered village guards to “break Ferhat Tunç’s legs” as Ferhat Tunç was starting a tour in villages in Cemisgezek/Dersim area |
| 11 May 2011 |
| Cameroon: First video interview after Lapiro’s release from prison |
| On 8 May 2011 Freemuse recorded singer Lapiro de Mbanga’s first video interview since he was released from prison in Douala on 8 April after three years imprisonment |
| 08 May 2011 |
| Freemuse campaign: Visa issues damage the music industry |
| European countries need to make visa and work permit procedures and the general access to the European market for artists more flexible, transparent and homogenous |
| 04 May 2011 |
| Cameroon: Singer Lapiro de Mbanga released from prison |
| Singer Lapiro de Mbanga was released from New Bell Prison in Douala on Friday 8 April 2011 at 2 pm after three years imprisonment under harsh conditions |
| 08 April 2011 |
| Cameroon: Lapiro appears at the Supreme Court |
| On Thursday 17 March 2011, the musician Lapiro de Mbanga was called to the Cameroon Supreme Court for what appeared to be superflous technicalities |
| 24 March 2011 |
| Cameroon: Freemuse visits Lapiro in prison |
| After years of international campaigning, Freemuse finally managed to have a personal meeting with Lapiro de Mbanga who has been imprisoned in Cameroon since 2008 |
| 17 March 2011 |
| Cameroon: Lapiro receives award on Music Freedom Day |
| On Music Freedom Day, 3 March 2011, Freemuse visited Cameroon and handed over a much awaited award to the imprisoned singer Lapiro de Mbanga |
| 09 March 2011 |
| Myanmar/Burma: New Win Maw songs smuggled out of Burma |
| The singer and human rights activist Win Maw continues his struggle for freedom of expression from the prison. Freemuse received three new songs from him. |
| 16 February 2011 |
| Turkey: Ferhat Tunç receives 25 days prison sentence |
| The Kurdish-Turkish singer Ferhat Tunç was sentenced to 25 days in prison for a speech he made during a concert in 2006 |
| 27 January 2011 |
| Turkey: Supreme Court re-opens case against Ferhat Tunç |
| Going to court is becoming a repeatative nightmare for the Kurdish singer Ferhat Tunç |
| 04 January 2011 |
| Turkey: Ferhat Tunc acquitted and immediately charged again |
| One day after the court in Diyabarkir acquitted Ferhat Tunç the Istanbul police turned up at his home today to inform the singer that he will be charged in two new cases |
| 05 November 2010 |
| Turkey: Ferhat Tunç acquitted |
| Freemuse Award winner, Ferhat Tunç was acquitted this morning from the Diyarbarkir Criminal Court in Turkey |
| 04 November 2010 |
| Cameroon: Lapiro – behind bars in Cameroon, behind a mic in Brooklyn |
| Singer Lapiro de Mbanga joins by phone from jail in Cameroon as U.S. Afro-pop band performs his banned song live in New York |
| 28 October 2010 |
| Cameroon: Interview with singer Lapiro de Mbanga in ‘Smashed Hits 2.0’ |
| In ‘Smashed Hits 2.0’, Cameroonian singer Lapiro de Mbanga gives an exclusive interview to Daniel Brown from prison on protest, politics and the art of satire |
| 25 October 2010 |
| Artist Visa Applications: Arguments for Success – a Quick Guide |
| A few references that you can mention when you argue for smooth visa handling while dealing with visa issuing offices and embassies |
| 20 October 2010 |
| Cameroon: Musicians are silent after Lapiro’s imprisonment |
| The fact that Lapiro is in prison for his music has discouraged other artists in the country to create any kind of innovative projects or critical song lyrics |
| 20 October 2010 |
| Cameroon: Lapiro fires back at Minister of Communication |
| Lapiro de Mbanga, imprisoned since 2008 retaliates at Minister of Communication who on 30 July 2010 announced that Cameroon did not host any political prisoners |
| 30 August 2010 |
| Myanmar/Burma: Freemuse in joint campaign for imprisoned comedian |
| The Free Zarganar Campaign, which advocates for the release of Burmese comedian Zarganar, urges MEP’s to nominate him for the European Parliament’s Sakharov Price |
| 25 August 2010 |
| EU policy library refers to Freemuse Visa White Paper |
| The Freemuse report ‘Visas / The Discordant Note’ has been included as an official research document in the EU Commission’s ‘Library of Policy Documents’ |
| 11 August 2010 |
| Turkey: Date of next hearing set in Ferhat Tunç’s case |
| The date for the next hearing in the case against musician and Freemuse Award winner Ferhat Tunç has been set to 30 September 2010 |
| 04 August 2010 |
| Cameroon: International Pen and Freemuse in joint appeal for Lapiro |
| African Human Rights bodies and monitoring systems are urged to act on behalf of Cameroonian singer Lapiro de Mbanga |
| 30 June 2010 |
| Freemuse appeals to Turkish Prime Minister: Dismiss Ferhat Tunç’s case |
| Artists, human rights activists and scholars join Freemuse in an appeal to the Turkish government for the dismissal of the latest court case against Kurdish singer Ferhat Tunç |
| 24 June 2010 |
| Cameroon/Denmark: Danish minister drawn into Lapiro de Mbanga’s case |
| Danish politicians demand investigation of financial support to company accused of inhuman working conditions and co-responsibility for the imprisonment of singer Lapiro |
| 22 June 2010 |
| Cameroon: Lapiro de Mbanga’s legal team files petition to United Nations |
| On 16 June 2010, the international legal team for singer Lapiro de Mbanga filed an urgent action petition with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention |
| 18 June 2010 |
| Cameroon: United Nations secretary-general urged to speak up for Lapiro |
| Freedom Now, a US-based lawyers’ advocacy organisation urges secretary-general of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, to request that President Biya releases Lapiro de Mbanga |
| 09 June 2010 |
| Cameroon: Maersk Group accused for involvement in case against Lapiro |
| A.P. Moller – Maersk Group, the worldwide conglomerate operating in around 130 countries, is accused for being partly responsible for the imprisonment of singer Lapiro |
| 26 May 2010 |
| Cameroon: International PEN releases new protest campaign for Lapiro |
| The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN has launched a new protest campaign for the continuing imprisonment of singer-songwriter Lapiro de Mbanga |
| 28 April 2010 |
| Cameroon: Lapiro de Mbanga honoured at Cameroon Music Awards |
| Organisers of the Cameroon music and cultural awards, Canal D’Or, have honoured jailed singer Lapiro de Mbanga with a Life Time Achievement Award |
| 28 April 2010 |
| Cameroon / USA: American lawyers prepare UN petition for Lapiro |
| Cameroon keeping Lapiro imprisoned is a violation of international law, argues a team of four lawyers from a US law firm |
| 25 January 2010 |
| Cameroon: Free-for-download album in support of Lapiro de Mbanga |
| Mondomix has launched a free-for-download album in support of the imprisoned cameroonian singer Lapiro de Mbanga |
| 06 January 2010 |
| Cameroon: Lapiro de Mbanga wins global award |
| Imprisoned musician Lapiro de Mbanga is the 2009 winner of the ‘Freedom to Create’ Imprisoned Artist Prize |
| 25 November 2009 |
| Cameroon: Lapiro shortlisted for global award |
| High profiled panel points at imprisoned musician Lapiro for the final shortlist of The Orient Global Freedom to Create Prize |
| 26 October 2009 |
| Help free Lapiro de Mbanga! Sign the petition |
| Freemuse in action |
| 13 October 2009 |
| Cameroon: International lawyers support imprisoned singer Lapiro |
| Freedom Now, a US based lawyers’ advocacy organisation, is now officially monitoring singer Lapiro de Mbanga’s case |
| 07 October 2009 |
| Cameroon: Lapiro is the one who has to pay for all |
| In this complicated case, there are problems of leadership, tribalism and politics. Lapiro de Mbanga’s case is a political persecution in disguise, writes journalist Jen Bell |
| 09 July 2009 |
| Cameroon: Interview with human rights advocate about Lapiro’s case |
| “This was an unfair trial. Now there must be lobbying actions,” said Dr Hilaire Kamga is president of NHRC, New Human Rights Cameroon, about Lapiro’s court case |
| 03 July 2009 |
| Cameroon: Interview with Lapiro de Mbanga |
| “This is the trial of the voiceless,” said singer Lapiro de Mbanga when he was interviewed just a few hours before a court hearing on 24 June 2009 in Douala, Cameroon |
| 03 July 2009 |
| Cameroon: Lapiro’s case taken to Supreme Court of Appeal |
| “We are full of hope”, said Lapiro de Mbanga’s lawyer, Me Augustin Mbami, in an interview about which procedures are to be undertaken next, after losing the Appeal Court |
| 02 July 2009 |
| Cameroon: Singer Lapiro de Mbanga loses appeal court |
| Cameroon power system strikes back at the popular singer Lapiro de Mbanga. It seems obvious that he has not got a fair trial, says Freemuse programme officer |
| 25 June 2009 |
| Cameroon: New verdict, same prison sentence to Lapiro |
| Lapiro de Mbanga’s sentence of three years imprisonment and the fine of FCFA 280 millions was confirmed at a court hearing on 24 June 2009 in Douala, reported Jen Bell |
| 25 June 2009 |
| Protest petition: African artist’s tour cancelled due to blocked visas |
| A petition ‘against EU visa discrimination of musicians’ was started after the European tour of Zimbabwean Mokoomba was forced to be cancelled |
| 17 June 2009 |
| UK: New visa rules threaten dozens of concerts and festivals |
| A report reveals that more than 20 major arts events have been cancelled or badly affected by new UK visa regulations |
| 17 June 2009 |
| UK: Visa system forces Russian ballet company to cancel shows |
| A Russian ballet company has been forced to cancel its 2009 programme after failing to obtain UK visas for its dancers in time |
| 17 June 2009 |
| Visa report highlighted but serious problems remain |
| While visa issues continue to create controversy, the Freemuse white paper ‘Visa / the discordant note’ plays an essential role in various international fora |
| 17 June 2009 |
| Cameroun: Musician Lapiro de Mbanga faces new trial |
| Musician Lapiro de Mbanga faces a new trial on 20 March 2009 because of accusations that a song of his led to the destruction of a banana plantation |
| 11 February 2009 |
| Sweden: Minister of Migration welcomes visa white paper |
| “The ‘white paper’ points its fingers at very essential problems,” said Tobias Billström, the Swedish Minister of Migration, in a live radio programme |
| 21 January 2009 |
| Cameroun: Campaign for release of Lapiro |
| Vigier, the company that has supplied the singer Lapiro de Mbanga with a guitar, launches a new campaign for the release of the Cameroonese musician |
| 17 December 2008 |
| White paper launched at Womex: ‘Visa issues – the discordant note’ |
| White paper on visa issues launched at an international music trade fair: ‘European countries need to make visa procedures more flexible, transparent and homogenous’ |
| 31 October 2008 |
| Cameroun: Appeal for songwriter detained for his lyrics |
| International Pen Writers in Prison Committee sent this appeal on 7 august 2008 protesting the arrest and four-month detention of singer-songwriter Lapiro de Mbanga |
| 07 August 2008 |
| Campaign: Urge for immediate release of Burmese musician |
| Freemuse joins campaign supporting Win Maw, arrested on 27 November 2007. His arrest is thought to be part of the wider crackdown on pro-democracy activists. |
| 25 April 2008 |
| Campaign: Urge for immediate release of Cameroonian musicians |
| Freemuse joins campaign supporting the two musicians arrested in Cameroun |
| 25 April 2008 |
| Campaign: Urge for immediate release of Tibetan singer |
| Freemuse joins campaign supporting the Tibetanian singer and song-writer arrested by Chinese authorities |
| 25 April 2008 |
| Freemuse campaign: ‘Safe cities’ should include all artists |
| Freemuse initiates a campaign for inclusion of musicians and other artists in the Danish ‘safe cities’ system |
| 10 January 2008 |
| Freemuse campaign: Visa issues kill music |
| In collaboration with international artists organisations Freemuse launches an investigation of visa and work permit procedures in order to influence policy makers |
| 26 November 2007 |
| Ferhat Tunç campaign 2007 |
| International campaign in support of musician on trial for remarks on Kurdish issue. Freemuse request the Turkish State to drop its case against singer Ferhat Tunç |
| 02 October 2007 |
| Freemuse Press Statement: Drop the cases against Ferhat Tunç |
| Freemuse Press Statement requesting immediate dismissal of all cases against Mr. Ferhat Tunç |
| 01 October 2007 |
| Statement against the use of music as torture |
| Freemuse supports the Position Statement on Torture adopted by the British Society for Ethnomusicology |
| 11 June 2007 |
| Bahrain: Freemuse declaration read aloud |
| A request to Bahranian politicians in response to fundamentalist attacks on culture festival |
| 18 April 2007 |
| Declaration demanding abolishment of Turkey’s Article 301 |
| 29 non-governmental organisations have released a joint declaration demanding abolishment of Article 301 of Turkish Penal Code and other articles violating freedom of expression |
| 12 February 2007 |
| Ferhat Tunç campaign 2005 |
| International campaign: Freemuse and musicians world-wide request the Turkish State to drop its case against singer Ferhat Tunç |
| 06 December 2005 |
| The case of Gorki Luis Águila Carrasco |
| The controversial Cuban rock artist Gorki Luis Águila Carrasco who was sentenced to four years imprisonment in 2003, was released 16 March 2005. |
| 17 March 2005 |
