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