The Cost of Repression: The Systemic Silencing of Writers and Artists in Times of Crisis

Side event at the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council  
7 July, 2023 from 14:00 to 15:00
Room XXV

Outline

This side event at the UN Human Rights Council’s 53rd session, co-organized by PEN International and PEN America, aims to raise awareness among member States and civil society of the deteriorating human rights situation of the creative sector during crisis. Through case studies from Iran and Belarus, renowned speakers will highlight the impact on the creative sector, including on writers and artists, and appeal to the international community for a comprehensive and coordinated response for protection and human rights in emergency situations.

Moderator: Liesl Gerntholtz, PEN America

Speakers:

• Parvin Ardalan, Iranian writer, journalist and women’s advocate

• Taciana Niadbaj, Belarusian poet and human rights advocate

• Anais Marin, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus

• Polina Sadovskaya, Advocacy and Eurasia Director, PEN America

• Mina Thabet, Head of the Middle East and North Africa region, PEN International

Background

In light of growing authoritarianism and conflict around the world, writers and artists increasingly face targeted persecution. PEN International’s Case List 2022 reveals that writers, journalists, and publishers across the globe are being subjected to arrests, detentions, and unjust imprisonments, often justified through vaguely defined offenses or fabricated criminal charges, following unfair trials. Shedding further light on this issue, PEN America’s recently published Freedom to Write Index 2022, shows that 84 writers and intellectuals were newly imprisoned in 2022 and over 800 face human rights violations that impact their freedom of expression, including artistic freedom. 

For decades, Iran has been one of the most dangerous countries for writers and artists, and PEN International’s 2022 Case List highlights the chilling effect of the Iranian authorities’ crackdown on freedom of expression, in response to the widespread protests following Mahsa Amini’s tragic death in custody. In PEN America’s 2022 Freedom to Write Index, Iran ranks second among top global jailers of writers, with at least 57 jailed during 2022 for having practiced their freedom of  expression. According to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, at least 40 Iranian artists, writers, poets, actors, filmmakers, and musicians have been arrested and jailed since the 2022 protests.

In the aftermath of the protests against Alexander Lukashenka's regime, Belarus has emerged as the fourth highest incarcerator of writers and public intellectuals globally.  The Belarusian authorities have continued jailing writers, with at least 16 writers behind bars in 2022. 

In Belarus, Iran, and globally, governments’ denial of writers’ and artists’ freedom of expression will likely outlast periods of repression, impacting the rights of people for generations to come. In light of these deeply concerning violations of human rights, including free expression and artistic freedom, this event will serve as a catalyst for the international community to support writers and artists around the globe. It will also show how Special Procedure mandate holders and other UN human rights mechanisms can promote and protect the rights of artists and highlight additional opportunities for States and other stakeholders to support freedom of expression, cultural rights and other human rights.