Thursday, May 25, 2006
Nik Kowsar Speaks
:: Posted by Bryan @ 5/25/2006 09:03:00 PM 
A brief Q&A with cartoonist Nikahang Kowsar
By Bryan Munn
When news broke last week about the sentencing of exiled Iranian cartoonist Nik Kowsar, Sequential contacted Nik (who now lives in Toronto) for a quick update. Kowsar was found guilty in absentia by an Iranian court for a cartoon he drew critical of clerical attitudes to press freedom in Iran in 2000.
Sequential: How do you feel about being tried in absentiaand what do you think about the verdict? Do you recognize the legitimacy of the Tehran court that sentenced you?
Kowsar: Actually I didn't break the law to be arrested, prosecuted or even sentenced. I almost lost my life, family, job, career, friends and everything because of the hardliners reaction.
Sequential: Would you care to restate your case and the intention of the cartoon that started this?
Kowsar: When there isn't a jury, there won't be a fair trial, and how could I restate the case when the system doesn't recognize my right to have a fair trial?
Sequential: How do you feel about the state of press freedom in Iran today?
Kowsar: On press freedom, we have a joke; "There is freedom of speech, but there is no freedom after speech!"
Sequential: What do you hope to acheive with your work in Canada? Do you feel you are still in danger or that your family is?
Kowsar: I came to Canada to escape the serious death threat I received in 2003.
I have tried to stay far from issues that might threaten my family, but I've always thanked God for keeping them in good hands.
Letters of support can be sent to Nik through his blog. The government of Iran is determined to crack down on any dissenting or controversial views: Recently, another cartoonist, Mana Neyestani, was imprisoned in Iran. Kowsar notes that "Mana is an old friend of mine. We used to work together for years." Kowsar talked with Tom Spurgeon today about Mana's arrest and the latest news out of Iran.
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