Letter from AICA Regarding Anti-Cultural Policies of President Javier Milei's Government in Argentina

UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights c/o Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Dear Ms. Xanthaki,

The Censorship and Freedom of Expression Committee of AICA International has been informed by its Argentinian National Section that the anti-cultural policies of President Javier Milei Government have become a cause of serious concern. These policies target the art community at every level as funding is increasingly used as a tool to curb freedom of expression. The censorship of gender-based content has also led to fear of reprisals among artists, art critics and curators.

AICA is a representative body of art critics based in Paris since the 1940s. It is active across the world with around 5500 members in 95 countries. One of its objectives is to protect the ethical and professional rights of its members and defend impartiality and freedom of artistic expression worldwide. The Censorship and Freedom of Expression Committee of AICA actively monitors cases of censorship and violation of freedom of expression, and artistic rights. It extends support to its members, through advocacy and visibility of their cases.

The Milei Government, which has publicly declared its bias towards the cultural sector, has begun to withdraw its funding commitments, this has led to the closing of two important cultural institutions and put others at risk. According to reports, 80% of the staff in the State funded cultural institutions has yet to be appointed by the government and in others unqualified persons have been hired to run them. All these changes are being carried out through arbitrary laws that circumvent legislation protecting the rights and wellbeing of cultural professionals and institutions. These actions gain greater urgency, when seen through the lens of the country's past when freedom of expression was brutally violated by authoritarian regimes.

These actions undermine the autonomy of cultural institutions and freedom of expression of art professionals and are unacceptable to AICA and all organisations that support the UNESCO Charter of Freedom of Expression.

All the anti- culture policies of Javier Milei are in clear violation of the freedom of expression and cultural rights enshrined in the UNESCO Treaty signed by Argentina. AICA International strongly urges your office to take action against the violation of the Treaty and the widespread threat to artists, art critics, curators and cultural institutions in Argentina.

Sincerely
On behalf of AICA

Malgorzata Kazmierczak
President of AICA International

Niilofur Farrukh
Chair of the Censorship Committee

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