For reasons yet unknown, the Appeal in the Alison Chabloz case due to start on Monday at Southwark Crown Court in London has been adjourned. At best, an outrageous example of listing malpractice on the part of the listing clerk and, at worst, a breach of Criminal Procedure Rules. What this now implies for the continuation of Chabloz’ Suspended Sentence also remains uncertain.
Chabloz was convicted last May under the notorious S. 127 of the Communications Act 2003 for sending and for causing to be sent “grossly offensive” messages consisting of three songs uploaded to the Internet. Militant pro-Israel group Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) had originally initiated a private prosecution after police and the CPS failed to take action against Chabloz.
Chabloz’ songs break the taboo of matters ‘Holocaust’. Herself a victim of harassment by persons closely associated with CAA including one of its directors, Chabloz explained during cross-examination that her songs were composed in reaction to this targeting of her professional and social life, in particular after police and authorities had dismissed Chabloz’ own complaints. Chabloz’ interest in Holocaust revisionism came about as a result of her support for the pro-Palestinian cause and condemnation of Israel. Last month on Remembrance Day, Chabloz laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in Whitehall in honour of the 784 members of the British Armed Forces who lost their lives during the Palestine Campaign 1945-1948.
Against all odds and despite constant unwarranted attacks, Alison Chabloz is recognised and appreciated beyond Britain. A professionally-trained musician, she was recently nominated to the role of Cultural and Artistic Liaison for the UK & Europe on behalf of the American Freedom Party.
The Appeal will be re-listed on Monday for dates some time in the New Year.
“Thanks to their creations, artists enable the layman to see things that would appear intolerable under the plain, naked light of day. The Artist tells us things about the world that can only be told by way of Art. That is why artistic freedom is sacred and without artistic freedom we are unable to find meaning in our own history and indeed in our own lives. Art is part of our western tradition and it’s exceedingly worrying that artists are being prosecuted and convicted for their work.”
~ Damien Viguier, barrister.