It has been more than 5 months since cartoonist Jamón y Queso was arrested in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea capital city, and put behinds bars at Black Beach prison, infamously known to be one of the worst African prison.
Co-author of a comic-book mocking president Obiang, who is ruling the country with an iron fist since 1979, the cartoonist is officially charged with money laundering. While evidences seems to be completely fabricated and Ramón’s trial is schedule to begin on Tuesday, February 27th, recent actions of the government show it is trying to shut down one of the last symbol of freedom of speech in Equatorial Guinea, a small country located between Cameroun and Gabon. Last week, general prosecutor requested death penalty against 147 activists from the first opposition party.
Relationships between France and Equatorial Guinea are under tension since Paris court condemned president’s son, also vice-president, accusing him of corruption and money laundering – materialized by a playboy lifestyle and billions of dollars assets in France. The European Union express concerns looking at human rights violations in the country, in which a big part of the 1.2 million inhabitants are living in poverty despite being one of the biggest oil producers in Sub-saharan Africa.
Cartooning for Peace and cartoonists from all over the world stand with Reporters without Borders and human rights organisations in supporting Ramón. A petition can be signed online here.
Update (Tuesday, February 27th) : all charges against Ramón have been dropped.
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