A/72/155 A. Women’s freedom of artistic expression and attacks against women artists 62. Fundamentalist and extremist State and non-State actors often threaten the right to freedom of artistic expression. Artists have been accused of “blasphemy” or “religious defamation”, insulting “religious feelings” or inciting “religious hatred” (see A/HRC/23/34, para. 47). The history and practice of women’s artistic expression is regularly erased by diverse fundamentalists. “Women artists and audiences are at particular risk in some communities, and are prohibited from performing arts altogether … or from performing with men” (ibid., para. 43). This is especially the case in theocratic contexts. “Such bans have devastating effects on the diversity of cultural expressions …”. 42 The submissions received provide examples of concerts featuring women that have been cancelled, female actors who have been attacked, women artists who have been threatened and insulted, and of women singers and writers who have been arrested, in Afghanistan, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Saudi Arabia and the Sudan. 43 A website affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps noted that women singing “violated all moral and religious values”. 44 One Sudanese singer said “when I am on stage … I find myself in a constant state of fear. I am always afraid that my show could be stopped any moment”. 45 In Ethiopia, there has been a decrease of women and men dancing and singing together, because of pressure from religious groups since 2008. 46 Restrictions to, and violations of, artistic freedom create an unsafe environment for all engaged in the arts and undermine efforts to counter extremism and fundamentalism. 63. It is impossible to list all the women artists killed by diverse fundamentalists and extremists. Notable recent cases include the 2014 assassination by Al -Shabaab of Saado Ali Warsame, a singer and member of the Somali parliament known for appearing onstage bareheaded. Between 2001 and 2014, 12 women have reportedly been killed because of their involvement in music in north-western Pakistan. 47 64. Cultural events associated with women and girls have been the target of terrorism. The Special Rapporteur deplores events such as the attack by a Muslim fundamentalist on an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, United Kingdom, in May 2017. 17 of the 22 victims of this “attack on girlhood” 48 were women and girls. 49 The Special Rapporteur salutes the courage of Ms. Grande in returning to the stage so quickly, at the “One Love Manchester” concert, and that of the many people who attended. The courage to defy extremists is displayed by artists and audiences around the world, with far less international attention, and needs recognition and support, a notable example being Afghanistan’s first all-female orchestra, Zohra. 50 __________________ 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 14/23 Submission from Freemuse. Submissions from Association Des Femmes Iraniennes en France; Turquoise Mountain; and from Saudi Arabian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) (European Saudi Organization for Human Rights, Saudi Organization for Human Rights, Al -Qst Organization, in consultation with Saudi women activists). Submission from Association Des Femmes Iraniennes en France. Submission from Sudanese Women Human Rights Defenders Project. Submission from Femmes solidaires. Submission from Freemuse. Charlotte Alter, “Why the Manchester attack was an attack on girlhood”, Time, 24 May 2017. Helena Horton and Joe Shute, “Who are the victims of the Manchester terror att ack?”, Telegraph, 31 May 2017. See www.anim-music.org/girls-ensemble/. 17-12043