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Defending creative voices: A global stand for artistic freedom

On 13 February 2025, artistic freedom took centre stage at UNESCO Headquarters (Paris, France), as UNESCO, the Kingdom of Norway and the Kingdom of Sweden joined forces to highlight the fundamental right of every artist to create, express, and inspire鈥攚ithout fear or restriction.
Ghawgha stands at center singing behind a microphone and in front of musicians Anja Lauvdal and Marianna Sangita R酶e, one who is at a piano to the left and one who is at some drums to the right; they all are in front the UN flag and a concrete wall lit in blue.

Powerful demonstration of collective action 

The event Artistic Freedom: The Road Ahead took place in the margins of the 18th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and featured a panel discussion and a musical performance. Speakers from all corners of the world sent a clear, shared message: protecting artistic freedom is more urgent than ever.

Cultural rights can never be taken for granted. They must be defended by every generation. Sweden鈥檚 longstanding support for the 2005 Convention dates back to its creation. From its cradle, we have witnessed the power of transforming normative tools into concrete action.

H.E. Helena S氓ngeland, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Delegate of the Kingdom of Sweden to UNESCO

As part of the broader cultural policy discussions surrounding the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005), the event reinforced the international commitment to protecting artistic freedom, by bringing together international organizations, government delegations, and civil society. 

Art and culture must operate on their own terms. When we express our own thoughts or encounter others鈥 perspectives through art and culture, it has a profound impact on us. It makes us free. The right to free expression and artistic creation is fundamental.

H.E. Halvor Hvideberg, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Delegate of the Kingdom of Norway to UNESCO

Civil society actors on the frontlines

Artistic Freedom: The Road Ahead panellists Abdullah Alkafri, Kathy Rowland and Andra Matei, all sitting in a row, in front of the UN flag and the flags of the IGC members.

The panel discussion gathered civil society leaders at the forefront of defending artistic freedom in an increasingly volatile world. The conversation painted a picture of the growing threats artists face鈥攚here censorship is compounded by non-state actors weaponizing social and cultural spaces to silence creative voices.

Abdullah Alkafri, Executive Director of Ettijahat鈥揑ndependent Culture, shared his experience supporting artists in Syria and in countries in Southwest Asia and North Africa. He emphasized the need for multi-layered protection systems, including safe relocation programmes, legal assistance, and psycho-social support, to ensure artists in exile can continue their creative missions.

Kathy Rowland, Co-Founder and Head of Research at ArtsEquator, explored the changing nature of censorship in Southeast Asia. She pointed out the emergence of more subtle methods for suppressing artistic expression, which make it harder to hold the perpetrators accountable. She also highlighted the increasing role of certain civil society groups, religious organizations, and online movements in limiting artistic freedom鈥攐ften leveraging social media as a highly effective tool for silencing dissenting voices.

Bringing a legal perspective, Andra Matei, Founding Director of Avant-Garde Lawyers, addressed the complexities of using international law to defend artists鈥 rights. She noted that the existing legal frameworks are often difficult for artists to leverage. Matei emphasized the importance oftraining for both legal professionals and artists to better navigate and leverage legal protections. 

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Artistic Freedom and Creativity, Deeyah Khan, delivered a video message calling on 鈥渁nyone in a position to support artistic freedom to do so鈥攍ocally, globally鈥攖o understand the profound dignity, humanity, and urgency of safeguarding, promoting, and supporting artistic freedom.鈥 A celebrated filmmaker, Khan has long led efforts to defend artists facing repression through her documentary films and as an activist.

When music and poetry speak for freedom

Singer Ghawgha, standing in a long black dress and cape behind a microphone, singing in front of a grand piano, the UN flag, and a concrete wall lit in blue.

The event featured an artistic performance and testimonial by singer Ghawgha, accompanied by musicians Anja Lauvdal and Marianna Sangita R酶e. Through five musical pieces, they took the audience on an emotional journey鈥攆rom darkness to hope鈥攅choing the transformative power of art.

Ghawgha, an artist from Afghanistan currently in a residency with the International Cities of Refuge Network (ICORN) in Norway, shared her journey, leaving us a note of resilience.

My mother told me to come here through the path of law; but today, I have arrived through the path of art. Because in a land where justice has abandoned the law, art endures still. As long as the freedom of art remains, hope will endure, and truth will not be forgotten.

Ghawgha

Thanking Ghawgha for her powerful performance, Ernesto Ottone R., UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture, emphasized the importance of collective action:

Freedom of Expression is the cornerstone of peace. Through songs, stories and films, artists shape public debates, strengthen democracy, and awaken humanity and conscience in us. In these uncertain times, upholding artistic freedom must be a priority. UNESCO calls on all parties to join the global efforts towards ensuring cultural rights for all.

Ernesto Ottone R., Assistant Director-General for Culture of UNESCO

For years, Norway and Sweden have supported UNESCO to advance artistic freedom. Norway, through the UNESCO-Aschberg Programme for Artists and Cultural Professionals, and Sweden, through the ReIShaping Policies for Creativity and Artistic Freedom initiative, have helped drive policies that uphold artists鈥 rights, promote gender equality and enhance civic engagement in the creative sector worldwide.