17 March 2015 21 March 2015 - by Cat Lucas - 2 Comments.
Nearly two years have passed since imprisoned poet Enoh Meyomesse's lawyers first succeeded in having his case referred to a civil court for appeal in April 2013. His hearings have now been postponed at least 21 times, due to various legal technicalities. In a powerful open letter, Enoh Meyomesse has urged President Paul Biya to intervene and ensure that his next hearing, due to take place this Thursday 19 March, goes ahead. Please join him.
If you are active on social media, please share information about Enoh Meyomesse's case with your friends and contacts, using the hashtag #FreeEnoh and our handle @englishpen.
As a result of the numerous postponements and additional months in prison, funds to cover Meyomesse's legal fees and daily needs – including food, medicine, family visits, and writing materials – are now dwindling. Here at English PEN we have published a crowd-sourced translation of his prison poetry, in order to raise funds for him and his family, and greater awareness of his case.
Show your support for Meyomesse – buy your copy today.
Urging the authorities to release Meyomesse immediately and unconditionally on humanitarian grounds.
A sample letter is provided but it is always better if you put the appeal in your own words. Please copy cat@englishpen.org into any emails you send.
I am writing to you as a supporter of English PEN, the founding centre of the international association of writers, to call for the immediate release of writer and activist Enoh Meyomesse.
Nearly two years have now passed since Meyomesse's lawyers first succeeded in having his case referred to a civil court for appeal in April 2013, and 21 separate appeal hearings have been postponed due to various legal technicalities. In a recent open letter, Meyomesse requested that you intervene in order ensure that his next hearing, due to take place this Thursday 19 March, goes ahead.
I share PEN's view that Enoh Meyomesse has been detained on charges that are politically motivated, and urge the Cameroonian authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally.