02. Apr 2019

Mr. Eaten Fish Visiting London for Index' Freedom of Expression Awards

Ali Dorani, aka Mr. Eaten Fish. ICORN residency Stavanger friby. Photo.
Ali Dorani, aka Mr. Eaten Fish. ICORN residency Stavanger friby.

Ali Dorani, aka Mr. Eaten Fish, Manus Island Cartoonist and ICORN artist in residence in Stavanger, Norway, will represent CRNI (Cartoonist Rights Network International) at the Index on Censorship-Freedom of Expression Awards in London.

Index on Censorship’s Freedom of Expression Awards exists to celebrate individuals or groups who have had a significant impact on fighting censorship anywhere in the world. This year, CRNI is nominated in the category «Campaigning».

Ali Dorani left Iran in 2013, arriving on Christmas Island by boat August 6th the same year, seeking asylum. After being pulled from the ocean on his way to Australia, he took the pen name Eaten Fish.

Dorani was then transferred to Manus Island in January 2014 and started cartooning and documenting the harsh conditions and ill treatment of the asylum seekers in the detention camp, where he stayed for more than 4 years.  His cartoons were published extensively in online media including the Guardian, Washington Post, ABC news, and journals such as New Matilda and Law, Text, Culture.

Dorani’s situation has been the concern of Cartoonists Rights Network International (CRNI) and other human rights organisations, who have advocated intensively for his release and fair treatment, alongside internationally renowned cartoonists.  

In 2016, CRNI granted him the Courage in Editorial Cartooning Award, for keeping up a stream of cartoons documenting the unspeakable abuses and excesses in the Manus Island detention camp.  

Dorani is now living safely in Norway after being granted an ICORN residency in Stavanger in 2017. 

UK talk with Eaten Fish and PCO

While in London, UK’s Professional Cartoonists’ Organisation is organising an illustrated conversation with Dorani and broadcaster, journalist and PCO patron Libby Purves, about his work and what the future holds for him. This promises to be a fascinating evening with Dorani on his first ever visit to the UK. It will take place at Westminster Reference Library, central London on Friday 5th April from 6-7.30pm.

For more information about CRNI, Index on Censorship and PCO follow the links:

Cartoonists Rights Network International

Index on Censorship

Professional Cartoonists' Organisation