akrouh
09/06/2007, 11h04
June 27, 2006 No.282
Profile of Reformist Algerian Cartoonist Ali Dilem
By Nathalie Szerman.*.
Introduction
Algerian cartoonist Ali Dilem was born in 1967 in El-Harrach, a suburb of Algiers, and is of Kabyle origin. He studied at the National Art School in Algiers. [1] Dilem began his career as a cartoonist for the Algerian Communist weekly Alger Republican. In 1991, he drew cartoons for the independent Algerian daily Le Matin, [2] whose editor, Mohamed Benchicou, [3] was recently released from prison after serving a two-year sentence on charges of corruption. [4] Since 1996, Dilem has worked as a cartoonist for the French-language Algerian independent daily Liberté. Dilem also works for French TV5's Kiosque program. In 2000, he was awarded the International Prize of Drawing in Written Press. [5] In 2005, Dilem was awarded the Freedom of Press Trophy, which he dedicated to Benchicou; in 2006, he received the prestigious Cartoonist Rights Network Award.
Dilem became internationally known for his depictions of the Algerian political process and for his support of political pluralism in his country through his cartoons. In them, Dilem portrays Algerian civil society's criticism of the FLN (National Liberation Front) Party, in power since Algeria became independent in 1962; of the Islamist groups; and of the role of the army in the country. In an interview with ************, Dilem describes Algeria's political situation as follows: "The majority is General Toufik [military security director Mohamed Mediène], and the opposition is also General Toufik." [6]
On February 11, 2006, Dilem was sentenced to one year's imprisonment and fined 50,000 dinars (€550), for dozens of cartoons he had published in Liberté during 2003 depicting Algerian President Abdelaziz Boutlefika. Dilem was sentenced under Article 144b of the Algerian Criminal Code, which allows for a prison term of two to 12 months as well as a fine for "insulting" or defaming the president. [7] Currently, 24 cases of press offenses are pending against him. [8]
During the Algerian civil war between Islamists and the Algerian government (1990-1998), Dilem received death threats from Algerian Islamist groups. In 2004, a fatwa was issued against him "in all mosques throughout Algeria." [9] Algerian Minister of Religious Affairs Boulem Ghoulamallah took responsibility for this fatwa. [10]
In his interview with ************, Dilem reiterated his concerns about Islamist factions in Algeria, and said, "Everything that gave birth to the FIS [the Algerian Islamist party Front Islamique du Salut] [11] in Algeria still exists." [12]
The following is a selection of 32 cartoons by Dilem, published by Liberté and by TV5 [13] in 2005-2006. The cartoons focus on freedom of expression in the Arab world, especially with regard to the case of Benchicou in Algeria; women's rights; Iran's nuclear program; Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and his widely criticized decision to undergo medical treatment in France rather than in his own country; and the release from prison of Islamists in Algeria, under the 2005 general amnesty. [14] An additional theme is human and civil rights.
http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=countries&Area=northafrica&ID=IA28206
Profile of Reformist Algerian Cartoonist Ali Dilem
By Nathalie Szerman.*.
Introduction
Algerian cartoonist Ali Dilem was born in 1967 in El-Harrach, a suburb of Algiers, and is of Kabyle origin. He studied at the National Art School in Algiers. [1] Dilem began his career as a cartoonist for the Algerian Communist weekly Alger Republican. In 1991, he drew cartoons for the independent Algerian daily Le Matin, [2] whose editor, Mohamed Benchicou, [3] was recently released from prison after serving a two-year sentence on charges of corruption. [4] Since 1996, Dilem has worked as a cartoonist for the French-language Algerian independent daily Liberté. Dilem also works for French TV5's Kiosque program. In 2000, he was awarded the International Prize of Drawing in Written Press. [5] In 2005, Dilem was awarded the Freedom of Press Trophy, which he dedicated to Benchicou; in 2006, he received the prestigious Cartoonist Rights Network Award.
Dilem became internationally known for his depictions of the Algerian political process and for his support of political pluralism in his country through his cartoons. In them, Dilem portrays Algerian civil society's criticism of the FLN (National Liberation Front) Party, in power since Algeria became independent in 1962; of the Islamist groups; and of the role of the army in the country. In an interview with ************, Dilem describes Algeria's political situation as follows: "The majority is General Toufik [military security director Mohamed Mediène], and the opposition is also General Toufik." [6]
On February 11, 2006, Dilem was sentenced to one year's imprisonment and fined 50,000 dinars (€550), for dozens of cartoons he had published in Liberté during 2003 depicting Algerian President Abdelaziz Boutlefika. Dilem was sentenced under Article 144b of the Algerian Criminal Code, which allows for a prison term of two to 12 months as well as a fine for "insulting" or defaming the president. [7] Currently, 24 cases of press offenses are pending against him. [8]
During the Algerian civil war between Islamists and the Algerian government (1990-1998), Dilem received death threats from Algerian Islamist groups. In 2004, a fatwa was issued against him "in all mosques throughout Algeria." [9] Algerian Minister of Religious Affairs Boulem Ghoulamallah took responsibility for this fatwa. [10]
In his interview with ************, Dilem reiterated his concerns about Islamist factions in Algeria, and said, "Everything that gave birth to the FIS [the Algerian Islamist party Front Islamique du Salut] [11] in Algeria still exists." [12]
The following is a selection of 32 cartoons by Dilem, published by Liberté and by TV5 [13] in 2005-2006. The cartoons focus on freedom of expression in the Arab world, especially with regard to the case of Benchicou in Algeria; women's rights; Iran's nuclear program; Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and his widely criticized decision to undergo medical treatment in France rather than in his own country; and the release from prison of Islamists in Algeria, under the 2005 general amnesty. [14] An additional theme is human and civil rights.
http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=countries&Area=northafrica&ID=IA28206