Freemuse Defending Artistic Freedom
Freemuse warns of the emergence of a new global culture of silencing others, where artistic expression is being shut down in every corner of the globe, including in the traditionally democratic West.
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Literature
Freemuse condemns killing of writer in Bangladesh
On 11 June 2018, writer and publisher, Shahzahan Bachchu was allegedly murdered by Islamic extremists in his home village of Kakaldi in Bangladesh.
Music
Spain: Iconic punk singer charged during performance
Evaristo Páramos, singer for band Gatillazo, was retained by the Spanish Civil Guard after shouting “policemen, you are sons of bitches” on stage.
Music
Uyghur pop star detained in China
Prominent Uyghur pop star Ablajan Awut Ayup disappeared in February 2018 without any information given on his whereabouts or reason for detention.
Literature
Detained Egyptian poet shares poem from prison
Egyptian poet Galal El-Behairy shares poem he wrote while in detention in Egypt's Tora Prison awaiting his verdict in military court on 27 June 2018.
Visual Arts
Equatorial Guinea: Artist, Finally Free, Leaves Country
Equatorial Guinean artist Ramón Esono Ebalé left the country on 28 May after 6 months in prison and then waiting 3 months for travel documents.
Freemuse and the Society for Ethnomusicology Announce Agreement in Support of Freedom of Artistic Expression
Freemuse and the Society for Ethnomusicology are pleased to announce their collaboration in support of freedom of artistic expression worldwide.
Film
Freemuse calls on Russian authorities to release Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov
On 14 May 2018, Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov went on hunger strike to demand the release of 64 Ukrainians held in Russia on political grounds.
May 2018: Three troubling cases in Spain, Zambia and Egypt
Zambian musician Pilato detained; Spanish rapper Valtonyc denied appeals; Egyptian poet Galal El-Behairy detained
Music
Freemuse calls for charges to be dropped against Zambian musician Pilato
Zambian musician Pilato was released from 5 days detention on 21 May 2018 on a 30,000 kwacha (2,480 euros) bail; next trial date set for 25 June.
Music
Spanish rapper Valtonyc denied appeal, forced to serve full sentence
Valtonyc was denied his final appeal for his 3.5 year prison sentence on terrorist charges related to his lyrics and must serve his entire sentence.
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The State of Artistic Freedom 2018
15 March 2018 -
Art Under Threat in 2016
8 February 2017 -
INSIGHT publication: Targeting the Arts 2016
10 May 2017 -
Freemuse report on the effects of terror on arts and culture
26 October 2016 -
Pakistan: The war on living arts in Swat
27 June 2016
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Drop charges against musician Ferhat Tunç in Turkey
4 December 2017Ferhat Tunç is being prosecuted for his peaceful expression … again. For the last 10 years of his over 30-year career as an artist, Ferhat has been the target of numerous government investigations and cases against him because of his music and other peaceful expressions. Ferhat is now having to defend himself in three new cases against him. Together, the charges amount to more than 13 years imprisonment. Your actions are important and can make a difference in Ferhat’s life and the lives of others like him in Turkey. Stand in solidarity with these artists and demand that Turkey drop all the charges against Ferhat Tunç.
Read More » -
Open letter to the President of Equatorial Guinea: Release artist and writer Ramón Esono Ebalé
16 November 2017 -
Let Women Sing
21 July 2017 -
In prison for a year in Iran; artists call for musician’s and filmmaker’s release
1 June 2017 -
Turkey: Seven members of Grup Yorum arrested
3 December 2016
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Equatorial Guinea: Artist, Finally Free, Leaves Country
30 May 2018Equatorial Guinean artist Ramón Esono Ebalé left the country on 28 May after 6 months in prison and then waiting 3 months for travel documents.
Read More » -
Freemuse and the Society for Ethnomusicology Announce Agreement in Support of Freedom of Artistic Expression
30 May 2018 -
Equatorial Guinea: Artist Freed from Prison
7 March 2018 -
Freemuse first annual State of Artistic Freedom report
8 March 2018 -
Music Freedom Day 2018: Listen to voices of the silenced
27 February 2018
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May 2018: Three troubling cases in Spain, Zambia and Egypt
25 May 2018Zambian musician Pilato detained; Spanish rapper Valtonyc denied appeals; Egyptian poet Galal El-Behairy detained
Read More » -
March 2018: Music Freedom Day and The State of Artistic Freedom Report
1 March 2018 -
November 2017: Cartoonist detained over 60 days with no charge
23 November 2017 -
October 2017 Newsletter: Troubling events in the world of artistic freedom
9 October 2017 -
Artsfreedom newsletter: We remember Shaima Rezayee
24 February 2017
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USA: Trump and Trauma, Threats and Tribalism: Art Censorship and a Divisive Presidency
15 January 2018A look at the most representative issues affecting artistic freedom in the first year of the Trump administration.
Read More » -
Saudi Arabia: Artists redraw 21st century identity
28 November 2017 -
Brazil: Sponsorship of cultural activities limits freedom of expression
16 November 2017 -
Censorship in Nigeria: Musical free expression in the shadow of Fela
10 July 2017 -
Turkey: A prolonged tragedy for theatre
11 May 2017
On 11 June 2018, writer and publisher, Shahzahan Bachchu was allegedly murdered by Islamic extremists in his home village of Kakaldi in the Munshiganj district of Bangladesh.
Read more here👉 ow.ly/3WhY30kxReM
Staff from the University of Otago destroyed hundreds of copies of the menstruation issue of a student magazine titled “Critic—Te Arohi”, citing that the issue’s cover, which features a non-gendered person menstruating, was deemed offensive by external community members and organizations.
Read more here👉 ow.ly/s16a30kxHls
The European Court of Human Rights unanimously ruled to overturn the decade-long censorship ban on Anthony Neilson’s play “Stitching”.
Read more here👉 ow.ly/q5zX30kxyXZ
❌Screening of “Kaala” has been blocked across the state❌
On 29 May 2018, the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) blocked the release of the film “Kaala” across the state of Karnataka. KFCC reportedly made the decision to block screenings and distributions of the film due to the filmmaker’s alleged views on the Cauvery dispute, in which he demanded the release of the Indian River to Tamil Nadu as per the Supreme Court decision.
The film’s producer, K Dhanush, and his wife, Aishwarya, have reportedly filed a petition with the Karnataka High Court in hopes of compelling the KFCC to promote a smooth release of the film.
Read more here👉 ow.ly/mnd030kswjr
📷 Imdb
❗️Lebanese officer charged with fabricating evidence against actor and playwright❗️
On 13 March 2018, prominent Lebanese actor and playwright, Ziad Itani, was released from detainment as it was discovered that the case built against him regarding alleged conspiracy with Israel had actually been completely fabricated by Lt Col Suzan Hajj Hobeiche, who has since been arrested and charged.
Though Hobeiche’s reasoning for attempting to frame Itani has not been officially released, some believe that she wanted to seek revenge against the artist after he brought attention to the fact that she had ‘liked’ a tweet by a controversial television director which prompted her to be demoted at work.
Read more here👉 ow.ly/DdFZ30kvF1l
📷Naharnet
🚫Singaporean artist censored🚫
On 5 June, an anti-LGBT group, Singaporeans Defending Marriage and Family, took to Facebook to condemn a painting designed by Singapore artist, Vincent Leow. Leow’s painting, which shows what appears to be a naked human figure paired with a creature that resembles a rooster, was displayed at the Esplanade in Singapore.
The group expressed severe concern about the possibility of children viewing the artwork and accused the Esplanade of “promoting bestiality”. Following the group’s cries, the Esplanade decided to remove the art, insisting that by exhibiting Leow’s work was in no way a means to promote a specific agenda to the public.
Read more here👉 ow.ly/6b8F30ksxB7
📷The Straits Times
❌Pakistani government bans Indian film during Eid❌
This year, the Pakistani government decided to ban the screening of Indian movies for the duration of Eid. The government’s decision comes as an attempt to boost Pakistan’s failing film industry, even claiming that the ban was proposed by Pakistani film exhibitors, distributors, and production houses.
An official notification of the ban was issued by the Ministry of Information to all relevant corporations, stating that, “In order to revive and promote local film industry in Pakistan, the federal government has decided to put a limited restriction on exhibition or screening of Indian films during Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha. The restriction shall remain in force for two days before and two weeks after Eid days.”
Read more here👉 ow.ly/FFIX30knY9k
📷Tolo News
🚫Facebook censors photo of 30,000-year-old-statuette🚫
In December 2017, Laura Ghianda, an Italian arts activist, posted a picture of the famous Paleolithic “Venus of Willendorf”, a 30,000-year-old statuette which depicts the abstracted form of a naked woman. The photo shortly went viral, and in response, Facebook removed the photo, labeling it as “dangerously pornographic”. It was not until 1 March 2018 did Facebook issue an apology for removing the photo of the historical and artistic artifact.
The apology from the social media platform only came as a response to the Natural History Museum (NHM) in Vienna condemning the act of censorship, stating that, “An archaeological object, especially such an iconic one, should not be banned from Facebook because of 'nudity,' as no artwork should be”.
Read more here👉 ow.ly/gGrh30ksw76
📷USA Today
Incredible
Den er også fræk 😋
Irina Ponomareva
Fucked Up Facebook ☠️☠️☠️🤢😂
Indian actress is threatened for her role in “18-05-2009”❗️❗️
Actress Dhanya (Rafiya Banu) has received multiple death threats from anonymous callers after allegedly acting nude in the film, “18-05-2009.” The actress complained to the Chennai city police about the calls, explaining that she was receiving threats against her life and well-being.
Dhanya has also starred in the film, “Porkalathil Oru Poo,” in which she played a television journalist who is raped and murdered by members of the Sri Lankan army during the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War. The film was ultimately banned by the Censor Board due to its controversial content and remains unreleased to the public.
Read more here👉 ow.ly/e2VX30knTaQ
📷Tollywood.net
Pakistan bans upcoming Bollywood film “Veere Di Wedding”❗️❗️
The Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) has banned the film “Veere Di Wedding” from releasing in Pakistan due to its use of vulgar language and sexual dialogues throughout the film. The film, which is centered around an all-female cast, was set to release on 1 June, with many local cinemas advertising screenings for the movie.
The Punjab Film Censor Board plans to follow suit with the actions of the CBFC
Read more here👉 ow.ly/mh2H30knYVQ
📷The Economic Times
Theatre owners in West Bengal state refused to screen film Danga: The Riot (1946 Calcutta Killings) claiming they were pressured by local authorities.
freemuse.org/news/india-cinemas-pressured-to-ban-film/
India: Cinemas pressured to ban film • Freemuse
freemuse.org
Theatre owners in West Bengal state refused to screen film Danga: The Riot (or 1946 Calcutta Killings), claiming they were pressured by local authorities.Prominent Uyghur pop star Ablajan Awut Ayup disappeared in February 2018 without any information given on his whereabouts or reason for detention.
freemuse.org/news/uyghur-pop-star-detained-in-china/
Uyghur pop star detained in China • Freemuse
freemuse.org
Prominent Uyghur pop star Ablajan Awut Ayup disappeared since February 2018 without any information given on his whereabouts or reason for detention.Come and work with us!
We are looking for a Senior Programme Coordinator to join us in our Copenhagen office.
Read about the job here ➡️ freemuse.org/jobs/senior-programme-coordinator/
The deadline for applications is TODAY at 13:00 CET. Don't miss it!
Are you interested in freedom of artistic expression and looking for an opportunity to be a part of Freemuse and our work around the world?
We are currently looking for a Senior Programme Coordinator to work with us in the office based in Copenhagen.
👉https://freemuse.org/jobs/senior-programme-coordinator/
The deadline for applications is 11 June 2018 at 1 pm CET.
Australian school covers up children’s artwork❗️❗️
In preparation for Beef Australia, a major cattle industry event that occurred May 2018, school children across Central Queensland’s Rockhampton were instructed to decorate six cow statues with paintings of national flags. The flags were displayed in the shape of barramundi fish.
Two Taiwanese-born siblings decided to paint their own fish using the colors of the Taiwan flag, and accompanied their art with “Taiwan” written in Chinese characters. Several days prior to the big event, it was learned that the siblings’ artwork had been painted over with solid blue paint, while the other designs had remained untouched. In a revealing statement published by Margaret Strelow, the mayor of Rockhampton, Strelow implicated Zhou Li, the Chinese Vice Consul of Brisbane, as having made the decision to ruin the students’ art.
Read more here 👉 ow.ly/VLYr30knNVD
📷ABC Open
Cayman artist faces criminal charges ❗️❗️
Cayman Brac artist, Ronald Kynes, appeared in Court on 6 April 2018, in order to stand trial for charges regarding his alleged possession of an obscene publication. The case dates back to 18 July 2017, where the artist was arrested for allegedly exhibiting “obscene” sculptures and artwork. At the time, Kynes had displayed four figures that depicted several women in the nude, some of which were locked in an embrace.
According to Kynes, the sculptures were a tribute to the gay rights community. The artist was shortly charged with displaying obscene material to the public. “My art is an expression of my religious convictions and I do not understand why I’m being prosecuted for it,” the artist told the Court on 6 April 2018.
Read more here 👉 ow.ly/p0xy30knMPi
📷Cayman Compass
❌Security officials ban the music of Ugandan musician, Lucky Otim❌
Lucky Otim, popularly known as Bosmic Otim, is a Ugandan musician whose latest song, “Mac Onywalo Buru” (Fire Produces Ash) has been banned by security officals. Regional Resident District Commissioner (RDC) William Komakech said any radio station that airs the song will be shut down.
Otim’s song criticizes ministers and members of parliament from the northern region of Uganda. Specifically, Otim accuses deputy speaker Jacob Oulanyah, ministers Betty Amongi and Okello Oryem, and MPs Jimmy Akena, Beatrice Anywar and Michael Ocula of colluding with the current regime in order to neglect the needs of the Acholi people.
Read more here👉http://ow.ly/NME830ko2XP
📷Redpepper
Come and work with us!
We are looking for a Senior Programme Coordinator to join us in our Copenhagen office.
Read about the job here ➡️ freemuse.org/jobs/senior-programme-coordinator/
The deadline for applications is 11 June 2018 at 13:00 CET.
❌ YouTube gets banned in Egypt ❌
Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court has ruled to uphold a one-month ban on YouTube within Egypt, after the film, “Innocence of Muslims,” was uploaded to the site. Authorities deemed the film to be “disrespectful” towards the Islamic faith. Though it is unclear when the decision will go into effect, the Court’s ruling is definitive and cannot be appealed.
A similar ban was issued in 2013, but was not implemented due to “technical difficulties.” However, since May 2017, Egyptian authorities have been effectively banning hundreds of websites, including news outlets, citing that the pages have links to terrorism.
Read more here👉 ow.ly/Urqv30knLOm
📷Quartz Africa
Students artwork banned in Israel ‼️
Israel’s Science, Technology and Space Minister Ofir Akunis banned artworks by students at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design from being shown at an international science conference taking place in Jerusalem after some students expressed solidarity with Palestinians demonstrating at the Gaza border.
Allegedly students at the Jerusalem art academy hung posters at their school with the names of those killed on the border of the Hamas-controlled enclave. Students also displayed a map of the Gaza Strip with the caption “I’m not your toy”, a reference to lyrics from Israeli singer Netta Barzilai’s song Toy, which won the recent 2018 Eurovision song competition in Lisbon.
Read more here 👉 ow.ly/skic30kfBHc
📷Artforum
#Lebanese official arrested over attempt to frame actor and playwright #ZiadItani
Read more here👉 https://t.co/T69iUTpJM4
📷Naharnet
Writer and publisher #ShahzahanBachchu was allegedly #murdered by Islamic extremists in his home village in #Bangladesh.
Read more here👉 https://t.co/XhDoU1qDHf
Staff from the #UniversityofOtago destroyed hundreds of copies of a #student magazine because the cover was deemed to be #offensive to external community members and organizations.
Read more here👉 https://t.co/ULyuXzbthJ
The #EuropeanCourtofHumanRights unanimously ruled to overturn the decade-long #censorship ban on Anthony Neilson’s play “Stitching”.
Read more here👉 https://t.co/p5Jxz1Z63J
#Singaporean artist gets work removed from #TheEsplanade due to concerns of #indecency
Read more here👉 https://t.co/60ZiFXwNIR
📷The Straits Times
Screening of the film #Kaala has been #blocked across the state of #Karnataka
Read more here👉 https://t.co/Btu7XsYhuA
📷Imdb
#Facebook censors photo of #VenusofWillendorf due to the figure’s #nudity
Read more here👉 https://t.co/SdKlct76WN
📷USA Today
#Pakistani government bans #Indian films for the duration of #Eid. The government’s decision comes as an attempt to boost Pakistan’s failing film industry.
Read more here👉https://t.co/xwBGT11VBV
📷Tolo News
#Indian actress Dhanya is threatened after allegedly acting nude in the film in “18-05-2009.”
Read more here 👉https://t.co/rbsxStJt4d
📷https://t.co/NwtVPM9Ytf
#Pakistan bans upcoming #Bollywood film “Veere Di Wedding.” The Central Board of Film Censors has banned the film due to its use of vulgar language and sexual dialogues.
Read more here👉https://t.co/TCI8U1TTJ5
📷The Economic Times
Prominent #Uyghur pop star Ablajan Awut Ayup disappeared in February 2018 without any information given on his whereabouts or reason for detention https://t.co/mzzbxfC5uL
Theatre owners in West Bengal state refused to screen film Danga: The Riot (1946 Calcutta Killings) claiming they were pressured by local authorities https://t.co/MZUkOckdrq
Come and #work with us!
We are looking for a #SeniorProgrammeCoordinator to join us in our Copenhagen office.
Read about the #job here ➡️ https://t.co/KRmxqFkSKF
The deadline for applications is TODAY at 13:00 CET. Don't miss it!
Egyptian poet Galal El-Behairy shares poem he wrote while in detention in Egypt's Tora Prison awaiting his verdict in military court on 27 June 2018 #FreeGalal https://t.co/KGL5bweGCS
Come and #work with us!
We are looking for a #SeniorProgrammeCoordinator to join us in our #Copenhagen office.
Read about the job here ➡️ https://t.co/KRmxqFkSKF
The deadline for applications is 11 June 2018 at 13:00 CET.
#Australian school district covers up children's artwork because it displayed the #Taiwan flag.
Read more here👉 https://t.co/63bwlfFp5v
📷ABC Open
Ronald Kynes, a Cayman #artist, faces criminal charges after displaying sculptures supporting the #gayrights community.
Read more here👉 https://t.co/n8CJ7PLIOj
📷Cayman Compass
#Freemuse #ExecutiveDirector, Srirak Plipat, is speaking NOW at the #EuropeanForumonMusic as part of their panel discussion regarding #FreedomofExpression.
Read more about the event and the speakers here👉 https://t.co/ZIjeJvxAbm
📷 Facebook / European Music Council
Are you interested in #freedomofartisticexpression?
We are currently looking for a #SeniorProgrammeCoordinator to work with us in the office based in #Copenhagen.
👉 https://t.co/KRmxqFkSKF
The deadline for application is 11 June 2018.
Visit for more information! https://t.co/mf4spQvTVr
Home - Freemuse
Defending Artistic Freedom
freemuse.org
Artists silenced by imprisonment in 2017:
1. Spain (13)
2. China (12)
3. Iran (9)
4. Egypt (5)
6. Turkey (3)
7. Cuba (1)
8. Eritrea (1)
9. Saudi Arabia (1)
10. Tunisia (1)
The State Of Artistic Freedom 2018 by @Freemuse98.
https://t.co/Ghztc489nr