Letter to the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

On January 28, 2016, French and Asian media reported that the French comedian with revisionist sympathies Dieudonné M'bala M'bala was arrested at Hong Kong airport after French and Israeli diplomatic interventions claiming that "his planned appearances […] could have led to disorder and even violence if they went ahead." (see The Asia Times of Jan 28, 2016; CNN) M'bala M'bala was deported back to France as an "undesirable" by Chinese authorities. Here is CODOH's take on it:

Immigration Department
Visas and Permits Section
7th Floor, Immigration Tower,
7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai
[email protected]

Feb. 2, 2016

Dear Sir or Madam-

We are writing to you to support the application for a visa by the French comedian and social critic Dieudonne M'bala M'bala.

Mr. M'bala M'bala is an important figure in France and represents the views of many young people and people outside of the "Establishment."

Unfortunately he has become the target of a disgraceful program of censorship by the French and Israeli governments both for his concern regarding the oppression of the Palestinian peoples and his lack of belief in the officially mandated history of the Holocaust.

Mr. M'bala M'bala is no threat to the interests of Hong Kong. In fact, he would contribute to the intellectual and social diversity of the Special Administrative Region. Plus he is pretty funny. To bow to the pressure of foreign governments to stifle Mr. M'bala M'bala's performance is not commendable and may contribute to the erosion of intellectual freedom in the Special Administrative Region. Therefore, we ask that you stand up for free speech, socially relevant comedy, and the right of people of Hong Kong to hear whomever they wish.

Please allow Mr. M'bala M'bala into Hong Kong and let him perform.
Thank you for considering this letter.

Respectfully,

David Merlin, Jett Rucker, Bradley Smith
Committee for Open Debate on the Holocaust
[now: PO Box 20774
York, PA 17402]

Email: [… now: [email protected]]