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Legal Reflection on Artisic Expression: Exploring the Boundaries of ‎Artistic Expression in Painting within the International Human Rights ‎Framework

Articles in Press

Document Type : Article

Author

Assistant Prof., Department of Public Law and International Law, Faculty of Law and Political ‎Science, Allame Tabataba’i University, Tehran, Iran‎

Abstract

Artistic expression serves as a form of storytelling, with painters, like other artists, conveying narratives that have influenced them or narratives they themselves have created. However, a painting, along with any other artwork, is regarded as a cultural product. This research aims to address the question: What are the limitations on a painter's freedom of artistic expression within the realm of international human rights? Through examining both theoretical perspectives and the practices of the European Court of Human Rights and the Human Rights Committee, it becomes evident that there is a lack of synchronicity between theoretical and practical approaches in establishing a consistent judicial procedure regarding a painter's freedom of artistic expression within the international human rights system. Consequently, the interpretation and application of the freedom of artistic expression have been influenced by factors such as national security, moral standards, and even political considerations, irrespective of whether the artistic work is deemed artistic or non-artistic. Moreover, the interpretation of the limits and gaps in an artist's artistic freedom remains an ongoing topic within the international human rights system, highlighting the importance of resorting to interpretive principles.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  1. English & French

    1. A) Books
    2. Arnheim, (1992). To the Rescue of Art: Twenty-Six Essays, To the Rescue of Art: Twenty-Six Essays. Berkeley, California University of California Press.
    3. Kearns, P. (2013). Freedom of Artistic Expression: Essays on Culture and Legal Censure. Oxford, Hart Publishing.
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    1. B) Articles
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    1. C) Documents &Websites
    2. A/C.3/69/SR.31, available at: https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/788267?ln=en#record-files-collapse-header(Last Visited: Oct.2023
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    4. Artistic Freedom, available at: https://en.unesco.org/creativity/sites/creativity/files/artistic_freedom_pdf_web.pdf, Last Visited: Oct.2023).
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    6. Human Rights Council, A/HRC/23/24/2013, Para. 25-32, Rabat Plan of Action.
    7. Khan Irene, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, in the state of artistic freedom 2022, Freemuse, defining artistic freedom, 2022.
    8. Rabat Plan of Action, A/HRC/22/17/Add.4 https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Issues/Opinion/SeminarRabat/Rabat_draft_outcome.pdf (Last Visited: Oct.2023).
    9. Shaheed, Farida(2013) Report of the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, the right to freedom of artistic expression and creativity, A/HRC/23/34.
    10. The European Court Of Human Rights From The Theoretical Perspective Of Visual And Performance Arts And Rationales Behind Freedom Of Political Expression. The Age of Human Rights Journal, 17, 2021, ISSN: 2340-9592 DOI: 10.17561/tahrj.v17.6269 97.
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    1. D) Cases
    2. Handyside v UK, 7 December 1976, Series A No 24.
    3. Handyside v United Kingdom Application No 5493/72, Merits, 7 December 1976.
    4. Karataş V. Turkey Judgment, Available at https://www.legal-tools.org/doc/62840b/pdf/(Last Visited: Oct.2023).
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    6. Otto-Preminger-Institut V. Austria, Application no. 13470/87, Judgment Strasbourg, September 1994, Available at https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-57897%22]}.(Last Visited: Oct.2023).
    7. Stern Taulats and Roura Capellera v. Spain, No. 51168/15, 13 March 2018.
    8. Tatár and Fáber v. Hungary, nos. 26005/08 and 26160/08, 12 June 2012.
    9. Vereiningung Bildender Kunstler v. Austria, No. 68354/01, 25 January 2007

     

    References in Persian:

    - Articles

    1. Amini, A. (2022). A Reflection on the Relationship between Art and Life in Dewey's Thought (based on the concept of experience). Journal of Philosophical Investigations, 16(38), 616-643. DOI: 10.22034/jpiut.2022.49573.3092 (In Persian).
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    3. Molkizade, A., & Mousavifar, H, (2023). A Reflection on the Margin of Appreciation Doctrine. Public Law Studies Quarterly, 52 (4), 2057-2074. DOI: 10.22059/jplsq.2020.261378.1783 (In Persian).
    4. Sadat Akhavi, S. A. (2006). The Principle of The "More Favorable Provision" as The Rule for Resolving Conflicts Between Human Rights Treaties. Law and Political Science, (72), 201-219 (In Persian).
    5. Shahbazi, A. (2011). Quran Burning in the U.S: Examining the Interactions of Free Speech and Religious Freedom in International Law. International Law Review, 27(43), 39-61 (In Persian).
    6. Shahbazi, A. (2016). Medical privacy of the victims of use of chemical weapons in Iran-Iraq war. Public Law Studies Quarterly, 46(2), 417-440. DOI: 22059/jplsq.2016.58204 (In Persian).
Public Law Studies Quarterly

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 21 March 2026
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History
  • Receive Date: 04 November 2023
  • Revise Date: 15 December 2023
  • Accept Date: 06 May 2024
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