6
(01) Musicians and their art have the ability to cross continents and galvanize action for the most important of causes. From “Feed the World”, to “There is Power in the Union”, “Sunday Bloody Sunday” to “Respect”, songs, songwriters and musicians have a key part to play in highlighting injustices, speaking for the silenced and showing solidarity across borders. (02) 2012, three members of the punk-rock collective, Pussy Riot were incarcerated In for “hooliganism” following their protest performance at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. They have been described as political prisoners by the Union of Solidarity with Political Prisoners and Amnesty International called the conviction “a bitter blow for freedom of expression”. This is but one example of how artists are persecuted around the world. (03) MU calls upon the GFTU and its members to promote the organisation Freemuse The (www.freemuse.org) – the world forum on music and censorship. This independent international organisation which advocates freedom of expression for musicians and composers worldwide needs support to continue to document violations and discuss their effects on music life; inform media, human rights organisations and the public; support musicians in need and observe at their trials; and to develop a global network in support of threatened musicians and composers.
Free Speech
Resolution 03
GFTU | BGCM Resolutions 2013/2015