Rami Golden

Summary

Tunisian rap artist Rami was arrested after releasing a song in which he criticized the Tunisian police. On April 17, 2022, the Court of First Instance in Monastir issued a verdict sentencing Rami to one year in prison for the crime of defamation through the public communication network.

Personal Information

Name: Mondher Soodi

Nationality: Tunisian

Occupation: Civil Society Activist

Incidents of Violation

Rami is a Tunisian rap artist known as Rami Golden. On February 13, 2021, he released a rap song that, like any other rap song, criticizes the police repression imposed on young people. It addresses the violations they face from the police in popular Tunisian neighborhoods, which led to his arrest and prosecution for defamation through the public communication network. He was given a liberty-depriving sentence for his groundless conviction, which highlights the state and security force’s use of intimidation against the youth and silencing their voices.

Trial: One-year sentence of imprisonment for the crime of defamation through the public communication network.

Human Rights Violations

Sentencing Ramy for one year in prison is a blatant violation of the right to freedom of expression that is constitutionally guaranteed to all individuals. In fact, freedom of creativity is also guaranteed for everyone, as international charters emphasize the protection of freedom of expression and artistic creativity. Article 15 (3) of the International Covenant on Social, Economic, and Cultural Rights states that “The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to respect the freedom indispensable for scientific research and creative activity.” Furthermore, Article 19 (2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights stipulates that “Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice”

Sources

Intersection Associaton relied on Ramy’s sister’s testimony in a social media post that dates back to February 2021.