L'Internationale supports Walid Raad, Andrew Ross and Ashok Sukumaran after the recent ban on their entry to the UAE
Hans Haacke, World Poll, 2015. At the Venice Biennale. Courtesy Gulf Labor and the artist.
In recent weeks, the authorities of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have refused visas, denied entry and deported a number of artists and academics including Andrew Ross and Ashok Sukumaran. The reason seems to be the involvement of the individuals concerned with the Gulf Labor campaign to improve the working conditions of migrants at construction sites for the new cultural infrastructures at Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. The latest to suffer this humiliation is the Lebanese artist Walid Raad. He has written an open letter describing his treatment and questioning the European and North American museums and universities who are supporting the new museums in the UAE and their sponsors. This letter is attached below.
The confederation L'Internationale would like to express its solidarity with Walid Raad, Andrew Ross and Ashok Sukumaran and encourage the museum institutions involved to respond to this letter and condemn the actions undertaken by the UAE.
Stephanie Saul, "N.Y.U. Professor Is Barred by United Arab Emirates", New York Times, 16 March 2015
Related contributions and publications
-
Statement on the attack on Kakhovka Water Dam
L’Internationale ConfederationStatements and editorials -
In solidarity with all the people affected by the earthquake in Turkiye and Syria
L’Internationale ConfederationStatements and editorials -
Public letter on WHW termination as directors of Kunsthalle Wien
L’Internationale ConfederationStatements and editorials -
Statement in support of documenta fifteen
L’Internationale ConfederationStatements and editorialslumbung -
Nikoli več vojne!
L’Internationale ConfederationStatements and editorialsEN es pl sl sv ca nl uk -
Statement on the dismissal of Alistair Hudson
L’Internationale ConfederationStatements and editorials -
L’Internationale Public Statement on the recent events at MACBA
L’Internationale ConfederationStatements and editorialsMACBA -
L’Internationale statement: Towards a healthy society
Statements and editorials -
Standing up for the rights of all artists to free and independent expression
L’Internationale ConfederationStatements and editorials -
Tearing Down Bridges – Turkey's Withdrawal from Creative Europe
L’Internationale ConfederationStatements and editorials -
Of Cats and Canary Birds: Statement in Support of Lunds Konsthall
L’Internationale ConfederationStatements and editorials -
How Much Austerity Can Europe Endure?
L’Internationale ConfederationStatements and editorials -
L'Internationale supports Walid Raad, Andrew Ross and Ashok Sukumaran after the recent ban on their entry to the UAE
L’Internationale ConfederationStatements and editorials -
L'Internationale statement in support of the decision to open "La Bestia y el soberano" (The Beast and the Sovereign)
L’Internationale ConfederationStatements and editorialsMACBA -
Artists for Kobanê: An online auction to benefit refugees from Kobanê
L’Internationale Online Editorial BoardStatements and editorials -
Podporna izjava Internacionale Museu Reina Sofia
L’Internationale ConfederationStatements and editorialsMuseo Reina SofiaEN es sl nl tr -
New online platform for research, resources and discussion
L’Internationale ConfederationStatements and editorials -
Uvodnik: Za kolektivno študijo v času izrednih razmer
L’Internationale Online Editorial BoardTowards Collective Study in Times of EmergencyStatements and editorialsPast in the PresentEN es sl tr ar -
Everything will stay the same if we don’t speak up
L’Internationale ConfederationTowards Collective Study in Times of EmergencyStatements and editorialsPast in the PresentSituated OrganizationsEN ca