AICA International is alarmed at the recent shutting down of the DÖN-DÜN-BAK exhibition scheduled to open to visitors at Tütün Deposu in Istanbul. This arbitrary act of censorship is a violation of freedom of expression and artistic rights of the people.
AICA has written a letter of protest to the Governor of Beyoğlu District Governorate , Istanbul, who is responsible for the ban. We urge him to follow the UNESCO Convention, to which the Republic of Turkey is a signatory.
All states that have signed the UNESCO Convention for Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions are expected to ensure that their citizens can express, practice, and share their culture without fear of censorship or persecution.
We hope these letters to the Governor and Representative of UNESCO will serve as a reminder that this action is against the professional rights of the art community and will have a long term impact in creating an environment of fear and oppression which violates human rights and artistic rights.
Sincerely
On behalf of AICA
Malgorzata Kazmierczak, President of AICA
Niilofur Farrukh, International Chair of the Censorship Committee