AICA International, the International Association of Art Critics, hereby expresses its strongest protest and condemnation of the brutality, racism, and systematic violations of basic human rights committed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other enforcement bodies involved in immigration control in the United States. This has led to the deportation of artists in recent months, the cases of Guillermo Medina Reyes and Audry Hernandez have been widely reported in the media.
Numerous documented practices—including violent raids, arbitrary detention, family separation, racial profiling, denial of due process, and inhumane detention conditions—constitute grave violations of human dignity and fundamental rights.
The continued threat to freedom of expression through Executive Orders and arbitrary policy changes are impacting the personal and professional lives of artists, cultural workers, and the autonomy of cultural and educational institutions.
The Artistic Freedom Monitor, an organization that focuses on protection and accountability by monitoring violations and providing legal support to the affected, has published a long list of cases of violations on its website.
Media has also report direct censorship like covering art works in museums, shutting down exhibitions and excluding artists from programs for their views and the withdrawal of Federal Grants as a tool to pressure and control programs and creatives.
The planned withdrawal of the United States from UNESCO in December 2026 will effect ongoing projects under this partnership, particularly the projects that receive UNESCO funds leaving artists and organizations vulnerable.
As a member of the world community and a signatory of UN treaties it is obligated to not violate globally respected UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions which is one of seven UNESCO conventions that deal with the four core areas of creative diversity; cultural and natural heritage, movable cultural property, intangible cultural heritage and contemporary creativity.
Cultural freedom enshrined in this convention is the right to express, practice, and share one's culture without fear of censorship or persecution.
All acts of violence against artists and other citizens are incompatible with the international human rights obligations of the United States, including but not limited to:
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), in particular Articles 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 10, guaranteeing dignity, equality before the law, freedom from arbitrary detention, and protection from inhuman or degrading treatment;
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which the United States is a party, notably Articles 2, 7, 9, 14, and 26, concerning non-discrimination, due process, liberty, and humane treatment;
the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD), which obliges States to eliminate racial discrimination in all its forms, including in law enforcement and public policy.
As an international organization committed to freedom of expression, cultural rights, and the ethical responsibility of art and criticism within society, AICA International cannot remain silent in the face of such abuses. The normalization of violence against vulnerable populations undermine democratic values and the rule of law and stands in contradiction to the principles the United States claims to uphold internationally.
We call upon the authorities of the United States to immediately cease acts that threaten freedom of expression and human rights with violent and discriminatory enforcement practices.
AICA International stands in solidarity with affected communities, artists, cultural workers, journalists, and human rights defenders who are directly impacted by these policies and practices.
We respectfully request that this letter of protest be transmitted to the relevant authorities of the United States.
Silence in the face of injustice is complicity. Art, criticism, and culture must remain spaces of ethical responsibility, resistance, and collective care.
Sincerely
On behalf of AICA
Malgorzata Kazmierczak, President of AICA International
Niilofur Farrukh, Chair of the Censorship Committee
This letter is also available in PDF format: Download the PDF