One of the many negative side effects of the coronavirus crisis is that in dominating the news cycle , other issues and stories are being lost.
Rokia Traoré, the internationally renowned Malian singer has been on hunger strike in a French prison for more than a week. As the producer of Rokia’s last two albums we have worked closely together and become friends, and I am deeply concerned by the reports of her deteriorating health.
She is involved in a custody battle over the young daughter she has with her Belgian former partner. I do not know the details of the case and would normally accept this as a matter for a court of law to decide. In the this instance however there are two courts – the Malian and the Belgian – and they appear to have drawn different conclusions. It is a messy situation .
What is clear to me however is that Rokia Traoré should not be being held in jail – particularly at this time when prisons are breeding grounds for the coronavirus. There are many high profile musicians trying to bring attention to her case – Salif Keita, Angélique Kidjo, Damon Albarn - but it is a struggle to be heard over the coronavirus calamity. I add my voice in calling upon the French government to immediately release her, and to take steps to enable the competing courts to find agreement.
John Parish
23rd March 2020
Rokia Traoré, the internationally renowned Malian singer has been on hunger strike in a French prison for more than a week. As the producer of Rokia’s last two albums we have worked closely together and become friends, and I am deeply concerned by the reports of her deteriorating health.
She is involved in a custody battle over the young daughter she has with her Belgian former partner. I do not know the details of the case and would normally accept this as a matter for a court of law to decide. In the this instance however there are two courts – the Malian and the Belgian – and they appear to have drawn different conclusions. It is a messy situation .
What is clear to me however is that Rokia Traoré should not be being held in jail – particularly at this time when prisons are breeding grounds for the coronavirus. There are many high profile musicians trying to bring attention to her case – Salif Keita, Angélique Kidjo, Damon Albarn - but it is a struggle to be heard over the coronavirus calamity. I add my voice in calling upon the French government to immediately release her, and to take steps to enable the competing courts to find agreement.
John Parish
23rd March 2020
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