The role of art in the struggle for justice.

 

This session explored ways in which art contributes to justice by breaking the silence of untold stories, providing victims with alternative forms of expression, sensitising societies to issues related to past violence, justice and reform, galvanizing people to challenge authorities and demand justice and change, and building a collective memory that is conducive to healing and nonrepetition of past human rights violations. Panelists presented their victim-led art projects from various parts of the world: an award-winning animated film exposing the impact of enforced disappearances on families in Syria, a virtual museum on enforced disappearance in South Asia, Memory House in The Gambia, a book of short stories by 15 women relatives from Lebanon, and a book of favourite recipes of forcibly disappeared persons in Mexico by their loved ones.

The rich and diverse contributions addressed the following key issues: 

• Art as a way of reaching out to broad audiences and engaging young people;The art works discussed in this event showed that art can be used as a tool to reach wide audiences such as policymakers and young people, conveying impactful messages and tearing down language or cultural barriers between communities affected by enforced disappearances. While traditional advocacy methods may be met with indifference, art can serve as a way to revive spirits and circumvent censorship barriers. For instance, “Tomorrow, We Continue” animation form allowed the victim to tell their story while preserving their anonymity, while the book Windmills of our Hearts, was written partly in an attempt to reach policymakers through art, who have been actively avoiding other forms of protest. 

• Art as a form of preserving memory:While enforced disappearance is a crime that may continue for decades, art allows the memory of the disappeared person to remain present in collective memory. For example, at ANEKED victim-led Memory House in The Gambia, families of disappeared persons contributed their personal objects to a public exhibition to tell their stories. Similarly, the book Recipes for Memory, a book of the favourite recipes of forcibly disappeared people in Mexico, uses food to highlight the disappeared people’s daily interests, to humanise them, and ensure they are present culturally even if not physically.

 • Art as an awareness-raising and educational tool: The presented art projects played a crucial role in raising awareness about enforced disappearances, particularly in regions where authorities deny such crimes, instead asserting that individuals left voluntarily. These projects not only challenged such narratives but also helped victims recognize that others in different regions were experiencing similar struggles. Additionally, art serves as an educational tool in initiatives that encourage younger generations and students to conduct research, document the stories of the disappeared, and actively engage in the fight against this crime. 

• Art as a tool for international cooperation and solidarity: Art can build bridges communities and strengthen human rights advocacy by fostering collaboration and solidarity. For example, Amnesty International’s Virtual Museum on Enforced Disappearances in South Asia not only sheds light on this often-overlooked issue but also serves as a platform for human rights advocates in the region to share their experiences, learn from one another, and collaborate on joint initiatives