Summary

For her 2013 report to the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur focused on the right to freedom of artistic expression and creation, which includes the right of all persons to freely experience and contribute to artistic expressions and creations, through individual or joint practice, to have access to and enjoy the arts, and to disseminate their expressions and creations.

The Special Rapporteur addresses the multi-faceted ways in which the right to the freedom indispensable for artistic expression and creativity may be curtailed. She reflects upon the growing worldwide concern that artistic voices have been or are being silenced by various means and in different ways.

This report addresses laws and regulations restricting artistic freedoms, as well as economic and financial issues significantly impacting on such freedoms. The underlying motivations are most often political, religious, cultural or moral, or lie in economic interests, or are a combination of those.

Recommendations

The Special Rapporteur encourages States to critically review their legislation and practices imposing restrictions on the right to freedom of artistic expression and creativity. States should take into consideration their obligations to respect, protect and fulfil this right. The Special Rapporteur notes that more discussion is urgently needed on this issue.

Learn more about the rights related to artistic freedom and creativity

Methodology

In order to assess achievements and challenges related to the right to artistic freedom, the Special Rapporteur prepared a questionnaire and sent it to States, United Nations agencies, academics and civil society organizations.

Read the note verbale and questionnaire