“Zunar’s fundamental rights to freedom of expression and freedom of movement must be respected according to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights signed by Malaysia,” read the statement issued from New York.

The six cartoonists were Patrick Chappatte from the New York Times, Jeff Danziger and Ann Telnaes (The Washington Post), Liza Donnelly (The New Yorker and CBS News), Nicolas Vadot from Belgian daily Le Vif and Robert Russell who heads the Cartoonist Rights Network International (CRNI).

The show of solidarity comes after Zunar filed a judicial review at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Dec 7 to challenge the travel ban, naming among others the Immigration Department head and inspector-general of police (IGP).

Zunar was barred from attending a forum in Singapore on Oct 17 when Immigration officers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport told him he was on a travel blacklist.

He was later told the order to ban him from travelling overseas came from IGP Khalid Abu Bakar.

Zunar, who is well known for his satirical takes on Umno leaders through his cartoon works, is facing nine sedition charges. Five of his works have been banned by the government.

In the statement, the six cartoonists urged Putrajaya to lift the travel ban on Zunar and drop the sedition charges.

“By drawing and commenting on current affairs with talent, impertinence and humour, cartoonists fully and beautifully exercise freedom of expression, and thereby extend our own freedom.

“Zunar, like other editorial cartoonists who are threatened, imprisoned or forced to flee into exile because of their drawings, deserves the full support of the international community,” they added.