UNESCO Called on States to Strengthen the Protection of Artists Worldwide

The new UNESCO publication Defending Creative Voices highlights that emergency situations – as armed conflict, unstable political contexts and natural disasters – exacerbate these pre-existing vulnerabilities. Artists face multiple threats, as online and offline harassment, brutal loss of income, legal prosecution, violence, censorship, silencing – and often lack minimal safety nets due to the precarious legal status.  

The report recommends that the international community develop tailored assistance to protect and promote artistic freedom in emergency context, built on UNESCO’s experience in protecting artists during conflicts – most recently in Iraq, Ukraine, and Yemen. It could also capitalize on best practices concerning press freedom for which a global action plan has been implemented by the Organization for more than ten years. 

The report suggests in particular: 

1. UN-wide monitoring of the artistic freedom in emergency context, that recognizes artists as a vulnerable group in need of specific attention,
2. A collaborative support programme for the safety of artist, and the protection of both  artworks and cultural spaces in emergency contexts,  
3. Tailored capacity building of judicial and legal actors to protect artists through investigations and prosecutions.

Recent cases have demonstrated the importance of emergency practical measures such as trainings on artistic freedom, temporary art residencies, temporary financial assistance for culture professionals, expedited issuance of visas and prioritization of artists within evacuation and resettlement programs with specific attention to women creators. 

Image : Jr