Italy: Malian singer Rokia Traoré arrested following a european arrest warrant
Singer Rokia Traoré, known for her exceptional talent and commitment to African culture, was arrested a few days ago in Italy based on a European arrest warrant issued by Belgian authorities.
Rokia Traoré is at the center of an intense legal dispute with her Belgian ex-partner, Jan Goosens, regarding the custody of their daughter. It should be recalled that in 2019, Belgian justice granted exclusive custody of the child to her father, a decision strongly contested by the Malian artist. Determined to protect her daughter’s interests, Rokia Traoré chose to keep her with her in Mali, where they reside.
Rokia Traoré’s arrest upon her arrival in Italy for a concert at the Colosseum Archaeological Park is a striking illustration of the cross-border implications of this case. Consequently, the Italian authorities, by executing the European arrest warrant, deprived the artist of her freedom even as she was pursuing her legitimate professional activities.
It should be noted that Rokia is not just an artist but also a mother fighting for her child’s rights. Many voices have already been raised to denounce this arrest and call for the release of Rokia Traoré.
Human rights organizations, artists, and citizens from around the world are expressing their solidarity with the singer. This mobilization continues not only for Rokia Traoré but for all mothers and children unjustly separated by international judicial conflicts.
