IAA Europe Calls for the Immediate Release of Artist Ai Weiwei
International Association of Art Europe is member of the International Association of Art IAA/AIAP - global organization comprising visual artists. Our main goals are to improve international cooperation in the fields of artistic creativity, mediation and working conditions for the visual artists. Freedom of expression is one of the hallmarks of a free and democratic society and any curtailment or breach of this basic civil right must be utterly condemned.
Ai Weiwei, one of Chinas most important artists, was arrested in Beijing in April as he attempted to board a flight to Hong Kong. Beijing police raided his studio at the same time, his wife as well as several studio assistants was detained temporarily. Authorities are now officially investigating Ai Weiwei according to law on suspicion of economic crimes, he has been missing, his family has yet to be informed about his whereabouts and why he was being held.
The International Association of Art (IAA) Europe, on behalf of Executive Committee IAA Europe, condemns this arbitrary treatment as an abuse of human rights. Furthermore we see in it a serious violation of the freedom of art.
We strongly protest against the arrestment of our colleague and call on the Chinese authorities to set Ai Weiwei free immediately.
On behalf of Executive Committee IAA Europe
Pavol Kráľ Christos Symeonides
Secretary of IAA Europe President of IAA Europe
No comments:
Post a Comment