The Association of Visual Artists is against the government's proposal to introduce a new provision in the criminal legislation - § 110 e, subsection 2 – which will criminalize inappropriate treatment of objects that have significant religious significance for a religious community.
Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of any democracy. Every citizen must have the opportunity to express his thoughts, beliefs and opinions without fear of censorship or persecution. Freedom of speech also implies that everyone has the right to express themselves critically about the world that surrounds us, including also about religions and religious objects.
Freedom of speech is essential to protect the individual's right to self-expression and self-determination, and we believe that the government's proposal has consequences for free speech that go far beyond the government's original intentions to stop the Koran burnings. The proposal fails to distinguish between artistic expression and harassment or deliberate violation of others. We are all equal before the law.
The government's bill has consequences for all the country's citizens, but it is obvious that the proposal has a special significance for artistic freedom, i.e. freedom to create works of art from and with the world that surrounds us. Artists treat, challenge and investigate societal issues in their works. Art helps to develop society and creates a interface between, for example, the individual's lived experience and institutions of power, such as religions.
We are concerned about the bill's restriction of freedom of expression, which will also have serious consequences for the role of art in society.
Best regards
Marie Thams
Foreperson of the Association of Visual Artists
Read the draft bill here
Photo at top: Colourbox