In light of shrinking civic space, as well as conflict occurring around the world, writers and artists increasingly face targeted persecution. According to PEN America’s Freedom to Write Index 2022, 84 writers and intellectuals were newly imprisoned in 2022, and over 800 faced human rights violations that impacted their freedom of expression, including artistic freedom.
As shown by the UNESCO report Defending Creative Voices: Artists in emergencies, learning from the safety of journalists, as well as the publication of Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) Art Is Power: 20 Artists on How They Fight for Justice and Inspire Change, despite the increasing threats, harassment and attacks that artists face – often linked the social or political content of their creative expression – they lack sufficient access to protection mechanisms, support opportunities and safety nets. They are currently not considered an especially vulnerable group prioritised for assistance during emergencies.
This event will aim to:
- Raise awareness among UN Member States and civil society actors about the impact of emergency situations on writers and artists; and call them to increase their assistance in this regard, for example by facilitating monitoring efforts, temporary residencies and schemes supporting the livelihoods of affected writers and artists, as well as evacuation and resettlement programmes benefiting them, allowing them safe passage to other countries and providing them with international protection.
- Appeal to the international community to recognise writers and artists as a vulnerable group to be prioritised when emergencies occur, and to enhance coordinated and comprehensive efforts to defend artistic freedom during crises; including through the development of a UN-spearheaded multistakeholder roadmap, strategy or similar framework for the protection of artists, inspired by the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity led by UNESCO and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
The event, to be held on Tuesday 9 April 2024 at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, and online, is co-organised by UNESCO (under the UNESCO-Aschberg Programme for Artists and Cultural Professionals) and Artists at Risk Connection (ARC), together with the Permanent Mission of Norway to the United Nations.
Livestreaming is available in English, French and Spanish.