Open Access

Andra Matei, Sanchit Saluja

• In an era marked by escalating geopolitical conflict and the backsliding of democratic values, theIn an era marked by escalating geopolitical conflict and the backsliding of democratic values, the global landscape is witnessing a concerning surge in the suppression of artistic voices. While civil society and governments are awakening to the imperative of safeguarding the rights of artists to imagine and create freely, the movement to defend artistic freedoms finds itself at a crucial juncture. Two significant challenges confront this nascent movement: the under-discussion of "artistic freedom" within international legal forums and the underutilisation of international law's potential to defend and promote the rights of artists. This article endeavours to address these lacunae by exploring how artistic freedoms can be understood within established frameworks of international law. At its core, restrictions on and interferences with artistic expression pose a fundamental question for the interpretation and application of international legal principles: how should the diverse cultural norms, traditions and values in states be reconciled with the universal imperative to protect artists' rights? This inquiry lies at the heart of our exploration, as we seek to unravel the complexities and offer pragmatic recommendations to civil society organisations (CSOs) operating in this sphere.…