The State of Artistic Freedom 2019 • Freemuse
▻https://freemuse.org/resources/item/the-state-of-artistic-freedom-2019
Freemuse’s new report The State of Artistic Freedom 2019: Whose Narratives Count? is an in-depth analysis of 673 cases of violations of artistic freedom that occurred in different cultural spheres in 80 countries throughout 2018. It identifies key challenges for artists’ freedom of expression and points out violation patterns and trends. Additionally, the report calls for accountability for these violations.
The report illuminates counter-terrorism legislation as a troubling and growing method of violating freedom of artistic expression. In 2018, 19 artist were imprisoned and 10 were detained under the guise of counter-terrorism. Freemuse’s research concludes that nine countries (Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Nicaragua, Russia, Spain, Turkey and the United States) are found to have used anti-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation and measures against artists in 2018.
“The State of Artistic Freedom 2019 documents a pervasive human rights scandal involving counter-terrorism laws being used to silence artists who criticise governments or question societal mainstream values.” said Srirak Plipat, Executive Director of Freemuse. “Freedom of artistic expression has been systematically restricted on illegitimate grounds both in the global north and south at alarming levels—with women, LGBTI and minorities artists often targeted by governments and non-state actors including social media companies.”