Esteban Beltrán, director of the Spanish branch of Amnesty International, recalls that Hasél “is not the only one who suffers the consequences of unjust laws: many other artists, journalists or activists have received numerous fines or long periods of exclusion from public office”. Specifically, the human rights NGO denounces that Spain has condemned 75 people for exalting terrorism since 2016. It considers that this reality promotes “self-censorship for fear of repression.”

“No one should be prosecuted just for expressing themselves on social media or for singing anything that might be unpleasant or outrageous. Expressions that do not clearly and directly incite violence cannot be penalized. If these articles are not modified, freedom of expression will continue to be silenced and artistic manifestations will be curtailed” says Beltrán.

Artist C. Tangana has joined the Amnesty campaign with a video calling for everyone’s involvement. “You don’t have to listen to his music or agree with his lyrics to realize that putting him in prison is crazy” he says.

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