The organization “Cartooning for Peace” joins the urgent call by the Sanad Organization to demand the release of Saudi cartoonist Mohammed Al-Hazaa.

“Cartooning for Peace” has announced its participation in the urgent action launched by the human rights organization Sanad, calling for the release of Saudi cartoonist Mohammed Al-Hazaa, who was arrested in February 2018 and sentenced to 23 years in prison.

The organization expressed its full solidarity with Al-Hazaa, urging French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to speak with the Saudi Crown Prince and condemn his detention. It also demanded his immediate and unconditional release.

It is worth noting that “Cartooning for Peace” is a non-governmental organization that supports freedom of expression through cartoon art. It was established to support artists’ rights and provide a platform to advocate for human rights issues. The organization also contributes to supporting threatened artists and seeks to stimulate international efforts to protect and support them in the face of repression and discrimination.

The Sanad human rights organization had previously called in an urgent action for the international community, human rights bodies, and activists worldwide to take immediate steps to pressure Saudi authorities to release Mohammed Al-Hazaa.

Mohammed Al-Hazaa Al-Ghamdi is a Saudi cartoonist who was arrested due to his work for the Qatari newspaper “Lusail” and for expressing his opinions on social media. He faced an unfair trial and was charged with offenses related to freedom of expression, leading to a 23-year prison sentence. Since his arrest, Al-Hazaa has suffered multiple violations, including psychological and physical torture, enforced disappearance, deprivation of communication with his family, and medical neglect, which has severely impacted his health.