ARTIST JAILED FOR CRITICIZING PRESIDENT

On January 31, 2024, the Monastir court of appeals in Tunisia sentenced artist, Rached Tamboura, to two years in prison on bogus charges for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression. Rached Tamboura painted a series of graffiti denouncing President Kais Saied’s racist comments against sub-Saharan migrants. Police forces arrested Rached Tamboura late during the night between July 17 and 18, 2023, a few hours after he painted the last one. On December 4, 2023, the Monastir Court of First Instance convicted and sentenced him to two years in prison for “committing an offensive act against the president” and “producing and promoting false news with the aim of infringing on the rights of others, harming public security or national defense, or spreading terror among the population” under article 67 of the penal code and article 24 of Decree law 54 respectively. Rached Tamboura is currently imprisoned in the Monastir prison where he is actively protesting his arrest. Tunisian authorities must immediately release Rached Tamboura and quash his conviction and sentence as it is based solely on the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression.

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• Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
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sample letter:

Your Excellency, or Dear Ambassador,

I write to you to express my grave concern over the ongoing arbitrary detention of artist, Rached Tamboura, solely for peacefully voicing his critical opinion through art.

On July 18, 2023, security forces arrested Rached Tamboura after he painted a series of graffiti drawings of President Kais Saied on the wall of the local authorities building.

People have the right to express their dissent and should not be arbitrarily detained for exercising their rights. I therefore urge you to immediately release Rached Tamboura and to quash his conviction and sentence as it is based solely on the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and activism. Pending his release, ensure that he has access to adequate healthcare, in compliance with international standards and medical ethics. Moreover, I call on you to cease your targeted arrests of critics for the peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression. 

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

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