The Pan-African Network for Artistic Freedom (PANAF) warmly welcomes the adoption of the Resolution on the Promotion and Protection of Artistic Freedom in Africa and the Development of a Model Law on Artistic Freedom in Africa (ACHPR/Res.654(LXXXVI) 2026) by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
This landmark resolution represents a significant step forward in advancing the protection, promotion, and realization of artistic freedom across the African continent. It affirms the centrality of artistic expression as a fundamental human right and acknowledges the critical role that artists and cultural practitioners play in strengthening democratic dialogue, cultural identity, and social cohesion.
PANAF particularly applauds the Commission’s call for the development of a Model Law on Artistic Freedom in Africa, which provides a timely and much-needed framework to guide Member States in aligning national legislation with regional and international human rights standards. At a time when artists across the continent continue to face censorship, intimidation, arbitrary arrests, and restrictive legal environments, such a model law offers a critical opportunity to harmonize protections and close existing legal and policy gaps.
As a continental network dedicated to advancing artistic freedom through advocacy, research, capacity building, and multi-stakeholder engagement, PANAF recognizes the transformative potential of this initiative. Since its establishment, PANAF has worked to document violations, amplify artists’ voices, and engage policymakers in fostering enabling environments for artistic expression across Africa.
PANAF therefore expresses its strong commitment and readiness to support the Office of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa in the development of this Model Law. Drawing on its extensive experience working with artists, civil society organizations, and policy actors across multiple African countries, PANAF stands prepared to contribute technical expertise, evidence-based research, and stakeholder mobilization to ensure that the Model Law is inclusive, context-responsive, and grounded in the lived realities of artists on the continent.
We further call upon all stakeholders including African Union Member States, civil society, cultural institutions, and development partners to actively engage in this process and to prioritize the domestication and implementation of frameworks that safeguard artistic freedom.
PANAF remains steadfast in its mission to build a continent where artists and cultural practitioners can create freely, participate fully in cultural life, and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s democratic and socio-economic development.
Link to the Resolution on the ACHPR website;
https://achpr.au.int/en/adopted-resolutions/654-achprres654lxxxvi-2026
For inquiries, please contact:
Pan-African Network for Artistic Freedom (PANAF)
Email: info@panaf.org
Website: www.panaf.org
