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Call for support to persecuted Pakistani artist
IETM News - All Parts - posted by IETM on 28.12.09
At IETM General Assembly in Bratislava in 2009, IETM members asked the Secretariat to keep them informed of political cases for the artists and the arts. We would like to draw your attention on the situation of the actor / producer Mohammad Alamzeb, who recently had to flee from Pakistan. IETM was informed of this serious case by our colleagues at freeDimensional.
A prominent actor and producer, Mohammad Alamzeb, fled Pakistan in May 2009 following kidnapping and threats. Alamzeb is now in Malaysia with his family, facing financial hardship and fearing for his safety as he awaits UNHCR refugee status and possible resettlement.
According to the actor, on January 12, 2009, he was kidnapped by Taliban agents at 11:00 am as he was on his way to work. Alamzeb was handcuffed and blindfolded and taken at gunpoint to an unknown location. After he was held hostage for five days, the actor's family produced the ransom to secure his release on the condition that he leaves the entertainment business. He was told to call a press release to publicly announce his retirement from the industry, which he did, unwillingly, on January 16, 2009 ("Popular Comedian Quits Showbiz," The News International, 1/17/09). He was also told to attend Tableegh meetings and grow a beard, which he did not do. Though he had agreed to quit showbiz, he continued to work to complete some projects for which he had already received payment. At this point he continued to receive threats and decided to flee the country. Malaysia was his best option at the time.
He has been living in Malaysia with his family of 5 (3 sons, wife, and sister-in-law) since May 15, 2009, though he does not feel secure there. He worries he could be made a target. He has registered with the UNHCR, but expects to wait at least another six months before he receives refugee status and then an additional year for resettlement out of the region, which is an uncertain prospect. His savings were already depleted to pay his ransom in January and he is currently running out of resources to cover basic living and medical expenses.
Pakistan has become increasingly dangerous for culture workers due to a resurgence of Taliban and other armed fundamentalist groups. Artists, musicians, actors and journalists are still kidnapped, threatened, or attacked in direct retaliation for their work.
What he needs is:
•accommodation in a residency space
•performance opportunities or contacts in the theater/film community
•contacts that could provide legal, medical or psycho-social services
•food, clothing or other basic material goods
•other ideas or contacts
If you feel you can help, please contact Karen Philips or Todd Lester, at freeDimensional.
