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Berlin (dpa) - The Berlin Academy of the Arts has expressed concern about developments in Hungary.
If the freedom of art and freedom of expression are curtailed in a member state of the European Union, this is also an advance against democratic rights in the other European countries.
"And we can only succeed in defending it together," said President Jeanine Meerapfel on Sunday.
According to the announcement, the European Alliance of Academies intends to lodge a complaint with the UN Special Rapporteur on Culture, Karima Bennoune.
An online petition to the European Parliament is also planned.
The alliance of 65 art academies and cultural institutions called for violations of the freedom of art in Hungary to be countered “with the legal instruments available”.
In the past few years, Prime Minister Viktor Orban and the Fidesz party have systematically restricted “institutional independence” in the cultural sector, according to the Alliance's letter to Bennoune.
Protests last year were triggered by the takeover of the Budapest University of Theater and Film Arts (SZFE) by a government-affiliated foundation.
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The right-wing national government had abolished the university's autonomy.
The government transferred the management to a government-affiliated foundation.
Students and teachers did not accept this and temporarily occupied the university buildings.
The government justified the takeover of the university with the need for a "model change".
Critics speak of an attempt to give training in Hungary a nationalist and clerical orientation.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210509-99-530987 / 2
Information about the action
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Online petition letter
Letter to the UN Special Rapporteur