Swedish metal band Arch Enemy to support human rights campaign on Europe tour

The Swedish metal band Arch Enemy are supporting Amnesty International’s freedom of expression campaign during their forthcoming “Khaos Over Europe” tour.

The tour, which begins in Sweden on 8 November, will see Amnesty having a presence near merchandise stalls and elsewhere, specifically to showcase ongoing cases where freedom of expression has been denied. These include a 20-year-old man in Azerbaijan who has been jailed on fabricated drugs charges after calling for protests against the government on Facebook, and a group of Women's rights's rightss rights's rights's rights's rights activists in Zimbabwe who are coming under sustained attack from the authorities after taking part in peaceful protests (more information below).

Arch Enemy singer Angela Gossow said:

“We have Amnesty International with us again on the European leg of our ‘World Khaos’ tour to support their ‘Expression Of Freedom’ campaign and raise awareness.

“Many people sacrifice their lives to fight against terror, crime and oppression. They are being brutally murdered or imprisoned for simply communicating the truth. In honour of their outstanding courage and to bring justice to them (and the generations to come) it is important to support the cause and keep fighting for freedom!

“Each one of us can do something: Spread the word amongst your social network sites, sign petitions, donate money, join peaceful demonstrations - pick your activism of choice! End repression. Allow expression!”

Jo Metcalf, Head of Art For Amnesty, said:

“We’re thrilled that Arch Enemy are supporting our work on freedom of expression.

“We’re lucky to have the support of musicians and other artists who fully appreciate the value of being able to express their creativity without fear of arrest or worse.

“In some parts of the world, pursuing a creative goal - or just speaking freely - can lead to harassment, loss of freedom and even torture. I hope that everyone who comes to one of Arch Enemy’s amazing shows gets involved in supporting Amnesty’s work in this area.”

Notes to editors:

Arch Enemy are encouraging their fans to focus on specific Amnesty cases where freedom of expression has been threatened. These include:

*Jabbar Savalan, a man imprisoned in Azerbaijan after criticising the Azerbaijani government on Facebook: www.amnesty.org.uk/jabbar

*Zimbabwean Women's rights's rightss rights's rights's rights's rights's rights organisation Women's rights's rightss rights's rights's rights's rights of Zimbabwe Arise, suffering oppression in Zimbabwe: www.amnesty.org.uk/woza /p>

*The case of Russian human rights defender, Natalia Estemirova, who was abducted and killed in Chechnya in 2009: www.amnesty.org.uk/estemirova /p>

Amnesty International has more than three million supporters, members and activists in over 150 countries whose main goal is to campaign for internationally recognised human rights to be respected and protected. More information: www.amnesty.org.uk /p>

Full Arch Enemy itinerary:

Swedish Khaos 2011

Arch Enemy

+ special guests: Engel + local support band

08  Nov 2011 - Folkets Park, Huskvarna, Sweden

09. Nov 2011 - Tyrol, Stockholm, Sweden

11. Nov 2011 - Mejeriet, Lund, Sweden

12. Nov 2011 - Trädgårn, Göteborg, Sweden

Khaos Over Europe 2011

Arch Enemy

+ special guests: Warbringer & Chthonic + local support band

presented by Metal Hammer (Germany), Guitar (Germany), Metal.de (Germany)

06. Dec 2011 – Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, UK

07. Dec 2011 - Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands

09. Dec 2011 - 013, Tilburg, Netherlands

10. Dec 2011 - Christmas Metal Meeting, Geiselwind, Germany

11. Dec 2011 - Rosenhof, Osnabrueck, Germany

13. Dec 2011 - Essigfabrik, Cologne, Germany

14. Dec 2011 - Le Cartonnerie, Reims, France

16. Dec 2011 - Le 106, Ruen, France

17. Dec 2011 - L’Echonova, Vanesse, France

18. Dec 2011 - CC John Lennon, Limogese, France

20. Dec 2011 - Backstage Werk, Munich, Germany

21. Dec 2011 - Garage, Saarbruecken, Germany

22. Dec 2011 - Z 7, Pratteln, Switzerland