Vigier Artist Lapiro de Mbanga in Prison

[1Patrice Vigier]

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Cameroon artist, Lapiro de Mbanga, a Vigier artist for over
20 years, has been put in jail for political reasons by the Cameroon
government.

 

Lapiro de Mbanga is very well know in Cameroon for his
political position against injustice and has been a victim of repression on
several occasions, but this time things have gone far.

 

After Cameroon's president, Paul Biya, modified the
constitution in his favor, giving himself the right to run for as many mandates
as he wants, Lapiro de Mbanga released a CD and DVD to denounce these changes
in the constitution in a new song titled, "Constitution Constip?e"
("Constitution Constipated ").

 

In February 2008, Cameroon was shacked by demonstrations and
the government jumped on this opportunity to arrest artists like Lapiro and his
friend, Joe la Conscience, accusing both of them of looting when in fact they
were helping the population.

 

At the same time the government confiscated all of Lapiro's
CD's and DVDs of "Constitution Constip?e".

 

Lapiro de Mbanga has been sentenced to 3 years in jail and
has been in prison since September.

 

His trial is scheduled at the end of December and Lapiro
needs our support.

 



Please sign a petition at this address to help free Lapiro
de Mbanga : www.vigierguitars.com/lapiro.

 

More information here:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200811031092.html

[1Patrice Vigier]

Information that Lina Vigier gathered :Vigier artist Lapiro de Mbanga, sentenced to a three year jail term.   51 year old, Lambo Sandjo Pierre Roger also known as Lapiro de Mbanga has been in prison since September. A Vigier artist of 20 years, Lapiro has been charged with inciting youths and causing destruction of property during a strike in February in the town of Mbanga.   He has recently been sentenced to a three year jail term and fined. His new trial in a court of appeal has been rescheduled to December 30th His lawyers have appealed saying that the judgement is a mockery and that Lapiro never participated in the destruction of Mbanga during the strike.   Lapiro is known for his outspoken political views and contributions towards the political evolution and democracy in Cameroon.   His lawyers, supporters and witnesses believe that he is innocent and that political authorities want to destroy him. In February, he only used his popularity to calm the protestors at the strike who were angry over the high cost of living and constitutional reform.   This is why people close to him think that his recent single, " Constitution Constip?e ", (" Constipated Constitution ") is the reason for his imprisonment. Since it's release the word in the political corridors is that the lyrics are what triggered the discontentment and uprising. There are references in the song to the recent modifications to the constitution that provide the president with immunity from prosecution for acts as president and allow him to run for unlimited re-elections.   Here is an extract ("The head of State is caught in the trap of networks that oblige him to stay in power even though he is tired... Free Big katika [President Biya's nickname]").   It is a coincidence that Lapiro and his artist friend, Joe Kameni alias Joe la Conscience were detained just before the amendment was to be passed. They were going to deliver a petition with thousands of signatures against it.   According to recent news,  Lapiro is currently in the New Bell Prison in Douala awaiting trial.   For more information/our sources: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7635405.stm http://www.freemuse.org/sw29911.asp http://www.internationalpen.org.uk http://allafrica.com/stories/200811031092.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Cameroon    President President Paul Biya Fax: +237 22 22 08 70 cellcom@prc.cm Messages may also be sent via the Presidency's website: http://www.prc.cm/index_fr.php?link=messenger/write_pr   Minister of Justice Mr. Amadou Ali Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Fax: +237 22 23 00 05   And/ or via Cameroonian diplomatic representatives in your country.

[LINA]

Dear Musicians, Just so you know there are people who work for your freedom of expression in  music and writing. They are now helping with campaigns for Lapiro. I am sharing their organizations with you to rally up support for him and to remind you that  some countries don't think it is cool that you express yourself. F R E E M U S E  -  Freedom of Musical ExpressionNytorv 17, 3rd floor,DK-1450 Copenhagen K, DenmarkTel:      +45 33 32 10 27 Fax:     +45 33 32 10 45E-mail: ole.reitov@freemuse.orgWeb:   www.freemuse.org- the world's largest database on music censorshipAfrica/ Americas Researcher and Campaigner Writers in Prison CommitteeInternational PENBrownlow House50/51 High HolbornLondon WC1V 6ER  United KingdomTel: + 44 (0) 20 7405 0338Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7405 0339Email: tamsin.mitchell@internationalpen.org.ukhttp://www.internationalpen.org.uk/International PEN, the worldwide association of writers with 144 Centres in 102 countries, exists to promote friendship and intellectual co-operation among writers everywhere, to fight for freedom of expression and represent the conscience of world literature. International PEN's Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) works on behalf of persecuted writers worldwide and monitors the cases of writers who have been imprisoned, tortured, threatened, attacked and killed for the peaceful practice of their professions. WiPC campaigns to end these attacks and oppose suppression of freedom of expression wherever it occurs.        

[B]

Sometimes you just don't realise how lucky you are. Thank you for these, they are very interesting.

[Martin L.]

Signed.
I dont know anything about Lapiro de Mbanga, but thats no excuse not to sign. Freedom of expression is something that must unit all civilized people; living in Denmark, you get reminded of this very often because of the muhammed-Cartoons, and every time I hear someone wanting to apologize for the cartoons, or anyone trying to make you feel sorry for expressing what you think, I get disgusted. And for a thing as disgusting as this, you hear this alot, especially from the very people who claim to love freedom.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it. "  -Thomas Paine

[LINA]

Just got this message, do not hesitate to view and participate :We&apos;ve now added your appeal to our frontpage and our general websitehttp://freemuse.org/sw31336.asp And many thanks to those who have already pledged support for his case. Lina   ____________________________________________________ F R E E M U S E  -  Freedom of Musical ExpressionOLE REITOV, PROGRAMME MANAGERNytorv 17, 3rd floor,DK-1450 Copenhagen K, DenmarkTel:      +45 33 32 10 27 Fax:     +45 33 32 10 45E-mail: ole.reitov <mailto:ole.reitov@freemuse.org>@freemuse.orgWeb:   www.freemuse.org <https://owa.ensimunify.dk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=https://owa.ensimunify.dk/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.freemuse.org> - the world&apos;s largest database on music censorship

[1Patrice Vigier]

Here is the last update on Lapiro De Mbanga.

http://www.freemuse.org/sw32041.aspThank you to freemuse for there commitment.If you did not sign the petition yet, please do it here and relay the information to your friends...

[LINA]

You beat me Patrice ! People, Freemuse is doing everything they can.If you could at least read the article, visit their website, and discover that the words of some musicians just isn&apos;t music to the ears of some governments that would be great.  Many thanks   

[1Patrice Vigier]

I beat you again for the good...Here is the famous song that brought him to prison. 

[1Patrice Vigier]

Please send your friends to sign..

[Fredrik Pihl]

I just signed.Let&apos;s hope they will set him free.

[1Patrice Vigier]

It is 13 month in jail already and he is sharing 20 square meter with 36 prisoners!

[LINA]

Dear Musicians, Please find the latest on Lapiro : http://www.freemuse.org/sw305.aspHis trial just keeps going on and on. Freemuse is still supporting our effort to help him through petitions and now Lapiro will have a" commissioned journalist in Cameroon to go to the next session in court and write an article."Thank you for your attention  

[1Patrice Vigier]

We have got over 500 signatures to the petition, but it is not enough.. please help him and if you have not done it yet sign here:http://www.vigierguitars.com/lapiro/Thank you to www.guitarramania.com for their recent help.

[LINA]

June 29th Well the latest is that after his new trial last Weds. June 24th, the court of appeals in Cameroon has maintained the prison sentence of 3 years and fines. His lawyer will work hard to try and get Lapiro on probation, but he will have to appeal to the Supreme Court. It could take another month. Things don&apos;t look good for now. We will continue to keep you informed. Many thanks for your attention.  

[LINA]

Please read, Freemuse&apos;s report , "Lapiro de Mbanga lose appeal court"http://www.freemuse.org/sw34284.asp

[1Patrice Vigier]

It is so sad, so unjust.

[LINA]

Please read the latest on his Lapiro&apos;s case since July 2009:http://www.freemuse.org/sw34346.aspMany thanks for your attention.

[LINA]

COUNTRIES WHERE MUSICIANS HAVE SUPPORTED LAPIRO AND FREE EXPRESSION In alphabetical order, to date, 727 musicians have signed our petition. Australia  Belgium  Burkina  Cameroon  Canada  Congo  Costa Rica  Denmark  E. Guinea  Egypt  England  France/Guadeloupe, Ile de la R?union  Germany  Greece  Haiti  Hungary  India  Isles Comores   Italy  Ivory Coast  Luxembourg  Mali  Marocco  Nigeria  Norway  Poland  Portugal  Romania  Russia  Senegal  Singapore  Slovenia  South Africa  Spain  Sweden  Switzerland  The Netherlands  Tunisia  United States  Uruguay  Zimbabwe Vigier Guitars sincerely thanks you for your support.

[1Patrice Vigier]

Thank you everybody, this is very nice, but this is not enough...please tell your friends, Lapiro is still in prison for a song!

[LINA]

This week I have been informed of some very important developments. The first is that sometime in November, Mondomix will do the following :"We will launch in November a free compilation composed of rare or unreleased songs on our downloading service, http://mp3.mondomix.com <http://mp3.mondomix.com/>  and anyone who will download it will be informed that, at the same times, he signs a petition to help release Lapiro.     We hope to have 10 000 persons downloading it."The second is that Freedom Now, based in Washington D.C. has decided to get involved in Lapiro&apos;s case. About Mondomix : Create and share worldwide projects of music and culture. About Freedom Now,  a non-profit, non-partisan organization that works
to free prisoners of conscience worldwide through legal, political, and
public relations advocacy efforts.
It is clear to all of us, Vigier Guitars, Freemuse, Mondomix, International Pen, and Freedom Now that Lapiro&apos;s case is political. Bye for now. 

[LINA]

Just received this, the latest article from Freemuse  :Freemuse