Bates Latin American Studies Mr Rex Tillerson Secretary of State, US Department of state Washington, DC September 29th, 2017-09-29 Dear Mr. Secretary, Over a week ago Equatorial Guinean internationally-renowned cartoonist Ramén Esono Ebalé was arrested at night in Malabo, the capital city of Equatorial Guinea. After a few days in which he was maintained without access to legal counsel or members of his family, he was finally jailed upon on trumped-up charges. Mr. Esono Ebalé has been a critic of the dictatorial political regime of his country of birth, and especially of its president Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. Those of us in the academic world who are interested In Equatorial Guinea and who study the country are convinced that the detention and incarceration of Mr. Esono Ebalé is directly the result of his putting his artistic talent in the service of democracy and justice for the people of his country. Mr Esono Ebalé’s work constitutes an activity that the repressive regime of Equatorial Guinea is not willing to tolerate. An International campaign to free Mr. Esono Ebalé has started as soon as the news of his arrest became known outside Equati ea. His wife and children are anxiously waiting for news about him, and depend on the solidarity of their friends and those who know Ramén Esono Ebalé’s artistic production to help secure his release from prison. urge you to use all the considerable diplomatic influence the United States has in Equatorial Guinea, through the US Embasy and other diplomatic channels, to demonstrate to the government of Equatorial Guinea that the government and citizens of the United States are gravely concerned about the fate of Mr. Esono Ebalé, as well as about the overall human rights situation in the country. Sincerely, Baltasar Fra-Molinero Professor of Spanish and Latin American Studies Bates College cc./ Senators Susan Collins, Angus King Representatives Poliquin and Pingree. 7 Andrews Road | Lewiston, Maine | 04240 | 207-786-8204 | FAX 207-786-6401