Avant-Garde Lawyers

In recent years, the threat against artists has increased. Even in Europe, there is a steady rise in censorship, threats, persecution, and prosecutions aimed at silencing artists. Despite this increase, and despite artists and cultural creators experiencing the same types of legal abuses as journalists and other human rights defenders, they do not receive the […]

In recent years, the threat against artists has increased. Even in Europe, there is a steady rise in censorship, threats, persecution, and prosecutions aimed at silencing artists. Despite this increase, and despite artists and cultural creators experiencing the same types of legal abuses as journalists and other human rights defenders, they do not receive the same attention or legal protection. The understanding of the importance of questioning art and culture for an open democratic society is low among policymakers, judges, and other state actors. Courts do not see art as a field of expertise in its own right, and there are no binding legal instruments that define the unique nature of artists. Robust European mechanisms for the protection of human rights, such as the European Convention and the European Court of Human Rights, are significantly underutilized when it comes to artists’ rights. 

In this project, Avant-Garde Lawyers (AGL) aims to strengthen artists’ rights in Europe by pursuing legal cases that can serve as educational tools, shape public opinion, and influence legislation. Additionally, AGL seeks to empower artists, civil society, and lawyers to advance similar processes.  

The project is supported with 2 685 000 SEK.