Post by cenydd on Sept 5, 2013 12:13:29 GMT
A criminal court sentenced two Tunisian rappers to prison on August 30, 2013, for "insulting the police". The sentences of a year and nine months in prison, which violate their right to free expression, are the latest in a string of similar prosecutions.
The First Instance Criminal Tribunal of Hammamet, a northern coastal city, convicted the two rappers, Alaa Eddine Yaakoubi, better known as Weld El 15 ("The 15-Year-Old Boy" in Tunisian Arabic), and Klay BBJ, of "insulting the police," defamation of public officials, and harming public morals. The two were not notified of the trial in advance and were not in the courtroom.
"Sending artists, journalists, and bloggers to prison for critical words and images is hardly worthy of the new Tunisia," said Joe Stork, acting Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "Authorities should be getting rid of these laws from the old repressive era instead of using them to silence critics."
The charges against the two rappers stem from their performance on August 22 at the International Festival of Hammamet, which included a song critical of the police. Shortly after the performance, police assaulted the two rappers, arrested and held them for several hours, and then released them pending an investigation. They were convicted a week later by the First Instance Tribunal of Hammamet. The charges were brought under articles 125, 128, and 240 of the penal code.
Another court had convicted Weld El 15 on July 2 on similar charges.
The two rappers went into hiding. Their lawyer told Human Rights Watch that they plan to appeal the decision.
The First Instance Criminal Tribunal of Hammamet, a northern coastal city, convicted the two rappers, Alaa Eddine Yaakoubi, better known as Weld El 15 ("The 15-Year-Old Boy" in Tunisian Arabic), and Klay BBJ, of "insulting the police," defamation of public officials, and harming public morals. The two were not notified of the trial in advance and were not in the courtroom.
"Sending artists, journalists, and bloggers to prison for critical words and images is hardly worthy of the new Tunisia," said Joe Stork, acting Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. "Authorities should be getting rid of these laws from the old repressive era instead of using them to silence critics."
The charges against the two rappers stem from their performance on August 22 at the International Festival of Hammamet, which included a song critical of the police. Shortly after the performance, police assaulted the two rappers, arrested and held them for several hours, and then released them pending an investigation. They were convicted a week later by the First Instance Tribunal of Hammamet. The charges were brought under articles 125, 128, and 240 of the penal code.
Another court had convicted Weld El 15 on July 2 on similar charges.
The two rappers went into hiding. Their lawyer told Human Rights Watch that they plan to appeal the decision.
allafrica.com/stories/201309050988.html?aa_source=mf-hdlns
It seems quite clear that this is a violation of the basic right of free speech, and this kind of thing is worrying in any country.