26.5.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 185/39
COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS ON AT-RISK AND DISPLACED ARTISTS (2023/C 185/09)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
ACKNOWLEDGING
1.
the importance of creative and cultural rights, as enshrined in global (1) as well as regional (2) human rights instruments, for maintaining human dignity, cultural diversity, pluralism, democracy and culture’s intrinsic value,
2.
the work of international organisations on the freedom of artistic expression, such as UNESCO – whose 2005 Convention recognises the need to take measures to protect the diversity of cultural expressions, especially in situations where cultural expressions may be threatened by the possibility of extinction or serious impairment (3) – and the Council of Europe (4), particularly with regard to its Manifesto on the Freedom of Expression of the Arts and Culture in the Digital Era,
3.
the conclusions of the European Council of 15 December 2022 and of 9 February 2023, which reiterate its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, reaffirm the Union’s full support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders (5), and reiterate the commitment to reinforce support of displaced persons (6),
4.
the European Parliament resolution on cultural solidarity with Ukraine, which expresses sincere solidarity with artists (7), as art and culture will have a fundamental role to play in the healing and rebuilding of Ukraine, and in particular salutes the action of the Ukrainian artists and creators who have acted in resistance to the Russian invasion by practising their art (8),
5.
the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 (9), which contains several actions (10) relating to the topic of at-risk (11) and displaced artists.
CONSIDERING THAT
6.
artists globally play an important role in the life, development and resilience of society and individuals, and that they should be able to do so while preserving their creativity and freedom of expression,
7.
artists should therefore be offered protection, in accordance with existing regulations, against threats and violations of any kind and form that put them in danger because of their artistic work,
(1) Inter alia Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2023, or Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
(2) Inter alia the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
(3) UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
(4) Basing its work on the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the Council of Europe has e.g. published a report on Artistic Freedom and launched the Manifesto on the Freedom of Expression of the Arts and Culture in the Digital Era which states inter alia that restrictions on freedom of expression and artistic freedom affect the whole of society, bereaving it of its pluralism and the vitality of the democratic process.
(5) EUCO 34/22.
(6) EUCO 1/23.
(7) See Annex II for the definition of ‘artists’.
(8) European Parliament resolution of 20 October 2022 on cultural solidarity with Ukraine and a joint emergency response mechanism for cultural recovery in Europe (2022/2759(RSP)).
(9) Council Resolution on the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 - OJ C 466, 7.12.2022, p. 1. (10) I.e., on artistic freedom, on preserving cultural heritage and empowering local cultural and creative sectors in Ukraine and on the role of culture and cultural professionals in the promotion and defence of democracy and human rights in fragile contexts.
(11) See Annex II for the definition of ‘at-risk artists’.