Support an Artist-at-Risk

The International Human Rights Art Movement has worked with a number of activists including Wei JingSheng, who spent 18 years in jail in China after advocating for democratic reforms; Sowore Omoyele, Nigerian activist and torture survivor, who continues to advocate for justice at great personal risk; Mbizo Chirasha, Zimbabwean poet-in-exile, who has risked his life for his art and to expose corruption in Zimbabwe and throughout Africa.

Donate today to help us support artists at risk!

Buwaso Ibrahim Razack

Poet-in-Exile, Uganda

Razack first approached us in early 2020:

"I am facing a challenge which started after some government officials listened to the piece called Dear God [published initially on IHRAM Records] and silenced me, because I was opening up against the government which has ruled Uganda for 35 years. I am facing a risk of life.  They want me to release a statement of apology favorable of the ruling government, which I cannot do. I have taken this chance to flee Uganda to Nairobi for my safety. 

IHRAM Response

    • We put Buwaso Ibrahim in contact with PEN Artist-at-Risk Program.

    • We publicized Buwaso Ibrahim’s work via our IHRAM Publishes, IHRAM Records, Facebook, Instagram and newsletter. As Buwaso said: “transparency is a key,” and the more people internationally who know about his work, the safer he feels.

    • We wrote a letter of introduction and a letter of recommendation which he took to the authorities in Kenya, as he sought asylum in that country.

Razack wrote back: 

Thanks for checking on me. I have been in police cells since Friday. I was released and managed to extend my stay a little longer. I am safe and fine and hoping you are also safe and healthy. They didn’t open charges on me, because they found out I was human rights activist and IHRAM Direct Poet.  I am glad about that.

We remain in close contact with Rzack Buwaso Ibrahim, who is currently safe and living in Tanzania.

 

Here is a short video introduction to Razack Buwaso Ibrahim’s challenges and art.

 

Mbizo Chirasha

Poet-in-Exile, Zimbabwe

Mbizo first approached us in summer 2017. His activist poetry has caused him to be pursued from Zimbabwe to South Africa, then to Zambia and Kenya, then Mozambique, back to South Africa and then to the border of Botswana.

My global activities in Zimbabwe cause me to be regarded as a state opponent. My work angers both the previous and the current regime. It’s a big threat for me. The current regime is also not happy with my writings against corruption and injustice. I am facing threats in most of southern Africa. Somebody followed me from Zambia to South Africa and wanted to know my location.  It’s hectic brother man. I don't have a PC, no internet and no food. Now I am on the deep end. I am draining spiritually and creatively. My social stature is slowly falling apart. I am in bad state. I am not sustainable. You know exile is not good, my brother.

IHRAM Response: 

    • We named Mbizo our 2019 “IHRAM International Fellow,” which came with a quarterly stipend.

    • We put Mbizo in contact with PEN Artist-at-Risk Program.

    • We ran a crowdfunding campaign to
      raise money to purchase Mbizo a computer, as well as secure housing in Nairobi.

    • We featured Mbizo live via Skype at our “Exiled in Africa” event in NYC, on November 20, 2017.

    • Mbizo represented IHRAM at the Sotambe Arts and Film Festival in Kitwe, Zambia, where he received room, board, a stipend and an important forum for his work and story.

    • We publicize Mbizo’s work via our IHRAM Publishes, Facebook, Instagram and newsletter.

    • We continue to supply Mbizo with direct action funding to help sustain him.

 
Nigerian activist, 2019 Presidential candidate and torture survivor speaks at the IHRAF inaugural opening, Dixon Place (NYC), March 3, 2017

Nigerian activist, 2019 Presidential candidate and torture survivor speaks at the IHRAM inaugural opening, Dixon Place (NYC), March 3, 2017.

Sowore Omoyele

Nigerian activist and torture survivor

First arrested and tortured for his social justice-oriented activities in 1992, Sowore has continued his struggle to bring human rights and equity to his home country of Nigeria. He is currently, a pro-democracy campaigner, former presidential candidate, and founder of an online news agency Sahara Reporters.

On 3 August 2019 Sowore was arrested by the Nigerian State Security Service (SSS) for alleged treason after calling for a protest tagged RevolutionNow.  He was arrested again and beaten during a protest in Abuja on January 1, 2021.  Sowore was injured by a police officer during a protest in Abuja on May 31, 2021.

The IHRAM supports Sowore in his struggle, and has had the honor of working with and getting to know him, in the time he spends in the United States.

Wei Jingsheng speaks at the IHRAF inaugural opening, Dixon Place (NYC), March 3, 2017.

Wei Jingsheng speaks at the IHRAM inaugural opening, Dixon Place (NYC), March 3, 2017.

 

Wei Jingsheng

Chinese Democracy Activist

Political Prisoner in China, 1979-1997

Wei Jingsheng is a Chinese human rights activist who is most prominent for having authored the essay "The Fifth Modernization", which was posted on the Democracy Wall in Beijing in 1978. As punishment for writing his manifesto, Wei was arrested and detained as a political prisoner from 1979–98. . He was deported to the United States in 1997, and received US citizenship by an act of Congess. Mr. Wei has remained at the forefront of the struggle for justice and human rights in China and around the world.

Mr. Wei has been a long-time supporter of the IHRAM, appearing at both the 2017 and 2018 Festivals, and inviting IHRAM Founding Executive Director to appear with him at the U.S. Capitol on two occasions. Mr. Wei also serves on the IHRAM Honorary Committee.