The Cartoonists Rights Network (CRN) informs us: June 9 at the Denver Press Club, Cartoonists Rights Network (CRN) International announced that its 2006 Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning is shared by Algerian cartoonist Ali Dilem and 11 Danish cartoonists. Incoming CRN president Joel Pett, Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist for the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader, announced the 12 recipients of the annual award. Among the recipients, only Mr. Dilem was able to attend.

In accepting his award, Dilem told organizers that the CRN Award for Courage in Editorial Cartooning has been called the “Nobel Prize” of the cartooning world. Dilem, a cartoonist in Algeria for over 15 years, has faced jail time and threats to his life more than once. Although under death threats from paramilitary forces and legal pressure from the government, Dilem continues to draw and publish in Algeria. He was recognized for his refusal to choose exile or self-censorship in the face of intimidation.

“CRN is proud to stand in support of cartoonists to express their points of view, whether popular or not,” said Mr. Pett. “Mr. Dilem, in particular, has shown tremendous courage in the face of unrelenting political pressure.”

The 11 Danish cartoonists produced 12 cartoons commissioned by the newspaper Jyllands-Posten. Last September, the Danish daily published the cartoons because, editors said, there was growing self-censorship in matters related to Islam. The feature triggered a diplomatic standoff between Denmark and several Islamic states by mid-October. In February 2006, riots and demonstrations condemned the cartoons. Dozens of protestors from Afghanistan and Libya to Nigeria and Indonesia died in the resulting demonstrations.

The cartoons sparked a crisis in freedom-of-speech circles that reverberates today. Their lives threatened, the 11 Danish cartoonists live under tight security. This is the Salman Rushdie case timesw eleven.

CRN has affiliate organizations in 15 countries, conducts freedom of expression workshops, and acts to reduce “violence with impunity” against cartoonists. CRN is a member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange and the New York Foundation for the Arts.

For further information contact
Dr. Robert Russell,
Executive Director, Cartoonists Rights Network,
Box 7272,
Fairfax Station, VA 22039,
USA,
tel/fax: +1 703 543 8727,
e-mail:  mayte6 at aol.com,
Internet: http://www.cartoonistrights.com

The information contained in this press release is the sole responsibility of CRN. In citing this material please credit CRN.

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