The "Cartooning for Peace Prize 2016" for the Malaysian cartoonist Zunar

 

Harassed for years by the Malaysian government, Zunar just received the prize Cartooning for Peace 2016.

Zunar Congratulations!(Pictured Zunar says his drawing surrounded by Plantu left and Kofi Annan to right)

Explanations given by the designer himself:I am honored to be one of the winner of "Cartooning for Peace Prize 2016".

The ceremoney Was Held at the Palais Eynard in Geneva in the presence of the Honorary President of the Swiss Foundation Cartooning for Peace, form the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Kofi Annan and Municipal Councillor for the City of Geneva Mr Guillaume Barazzone.

Reviews The other winner is Kenyan cartoonist Gado. Work of Both cartoonists are EXHIBITED at the Lac Leman in Geneva.

KOFI ANNAN's STATEMENTGado and Zunar remind us how vulnerable this liberty remains in Africa and in Asia as well as in --otherregions of the world.

Through Their commitment Towards open and transparent societies, and Gado Zunar, Who-have received threats In Their countries of origin and can no skirt Their practiceoccupation, confront us with our responsibility to preserve freedom of speech and act in order to Support the struggle of Those Who can not express

Themselves through Their art.JURY's STATEMENTCartoonist Patrick Chappatte, Vice-President of the Swiss Foundation Cartooning for Peaceand jury member added:

"For HAVING Had the Courage to draw the king naked, and Gado Zunar are faced with a power Machine That seeks to Silence Them.

What this Prize seeks to do is just theopposite: to amplify Their voices, are qui Those of democracy and justice.Zunar's STATEMENT"2016 International Editorial Cartoons Prize" Gives new strength for me to continue the fight Against the 60-year old corrupt and repressive Malaysian Plan.

Human rights and freedom of expression in Malaysia are in dire straits. --other Sedition Act and draconian laws are used to quiet critics Widely.

All institutions are Being used as political tools by the diet in order to Maintain power.

Talent is not a gift, goal responsibility. It is a duty for me as a cartoonist to use the art as a weapon to fight unjust rulers.

Fear and intimidation are the potent tools Being used by the diet to scare the people.

I believe, strokes of art can lead the people to cross the line of fear.I Strongly believe aussi That, When facing with moral crisis, there is no room to grumble in silence.

We-have to stand up and cry out our voice loud and clear. Neutrality is escapism For Those Who live in comfort zone. How Can I be Neutral, Even My Pen Has a Stand!Finally, I would like to remind the diet That repression begets rebellion:

you can ban my cartoons, you can ban my books, you can order not ban my mind.

I will continue to fight through cartoons. I will keep fighting up to the last drop of my ink.

Zunar, Political cartoonist, 3rd May 2016, Geneva