KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 — Political cartoonist Zunar has been selected for Amnesty International’s Write for Rights 2015, making him the first Malaysian to join the global rights group’s annual movement to support freedom of expression.

The cartoonist, whose real name is Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, was selected following his nine charges under the Sedition Act, a colonial-era law that critics say is used by the government to clampdown on the freedom of expression under the guise of protecting national security and deterring racial or religious unrest.

“We believe that the freedom of expression is central to all other freedoms, but in countries like Malaysia, regulation has become one of the most common and insidious tools used to hamper and restrict freedoms around the world,” AI Malaysia executive director Shamini Darshni said at a press conference to announce Zunar’s inclusion in the campaign.

"The Malaysian government’s persistent reliance on the Sedition Act and other repressive laws to arrest, charge, imprison or otherwise intimidate Zunar and other human rights defenders is deplorable, and indicative of the downward spiral in Malaysia’s respect for fundamental human rights.”

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Among others, Zunar is on trial for tweets he posted on February 10, criticising the judiciary following the jailing of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, former opposition leader and an AI prisoner of conscience.

Zunar has been targeted numerous times as a result of his political cartoons, and currently holds the record for the most sedition charges in Malaysia.

Five of his cartoon books have been banned by the government for allegedly having content that is "detrimental to public order”.

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His latest book, “Sapuman – Man of Steal”, is also under police investigation.

His office in Kuala Lumpur has been raided several times and thousands of his cartoon books have been confiscated.

But Zunar, who believes that talent is not a gift, but a responsibility, is determined to keep drawing until his last drop of ink.

“Neutrality is a form of escapism. Staying silent is not an option. Even my pen has a stand,” he said.

Through the #W4R campaign, Amnesty International activists will press Malaysian authorities to drop all charges against the cartoonist; urge them to ensure that Zunar and those working with him are not restricted or harassed as they exercise their right to freedom of expression; and to end the Sedition Act and all other repressive laws while ensuring compliance with international human rights laws and standards.

Amnesty International’s other 11 #W4R cases are: the Kawama community in Katanga, Africa; girl victims of forced marriages in Burkino Faso; torture survivor Yecenia Armenta Graciano of Mexico; prisoners Teodora del Carmen Vasquez of El Salvador and Albert Woodfox of the United States; Myanmarese activist Phyoe Phyoe Aung; journalist Muhammad Bekzhanov of Uzbekistan; Costas, a survivor of a homophobic and racist attack in Greece; online activist Waleed Abu Al-Khair of Saudi Arabia; victims of enforced disappearance Rania Alabbasi, and her six children in Syria; and torture survivor Saman Naseem of Iran.

Write for Rights (#W4R) 2015 is currently in its 12th year and is AI's largest activism event that attracts hundreds of thousands of people around the world to act on behalf of those persecuted.

“Through the #W4R campaign, members and supporters of Amnesty International take solidarity actions to demonstrate their support and to stand up for others whose rights have been trampled on,” Sharmini added.