Amin, Shahira --- "The right to freedom of expression and creativity – Report 2013 (A/HRC/23/34)" [2017] ELECD 1430; in Belder, Lucky; Porsdam, Helle (eds), "Negotiating Cultural Rights" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2017) 120

Book Title: Negotiating Cultural Rights

Editor(s): Belder, Lucky; Porsdam, Helle

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781786435415

Section: Chapter 6

Section Title: The right to freedom of expression and creativity – Report 2013 (A/HRC/23/34)

Author(s): Amin, Shahira

Number of pages: 5

Abstract/Description:

Special Rapporteur Farida Shaheed’s report on cultural rights addresses the different ways the right of freedom has been curtailed, stifling artistic expression and creativity and silencing artists. She cites the motives for the restrictions as often being ‘religious, political, cultural or moral or economic interests – or all combined’. In Egypt’s case, this is certainly true: in the past year, we have seen the space for artistic expression and creativity – and freedom of expression in general – shrink dramatically in the name of either ‘public morality’, ‘religion’ or ‘national security’. Journalists, bloggers, artists and photographers have been imprisoned for no crime other than their work although the charges against them are often ‘terrorism related’. They are often falsely accused of having links to the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood or spreading lies to harm the state. This is a dangerous precedent as in the restrictive climate, the fear that dissipated during the 18-day uprising in 2011 has been reinstated, forcing many artists to practice self-censorship or stop working altogether. Artists face heavy censorship of their work but also risk detention, threats on their lives, and sometimes – in the mass hysteria and nationalistic fervour sweeping the country – they also face mob assaults (by citizens who perceive themselves as more ‘patriotic’) or accusations of treason and espionage. The examples are many.