Moroccan rapper Pause Flow is facing criminal prosecution in Sefrou over lyrics from nearly ten songs accused of insulting public officials and an organized body. After arrest and pre-trial detention, his potential release now depends on a high bail. The case has triggered national debate on artistic freedom, with fellow rappers and rights groups warning of rising pressure on critical voices in Morocco’s music scene.
Screenshot from Hengaw.net
Iranian security forces arrested young Kurdish singer and cultural activist Asmar Hamidi during a raid on her family home in North Khorasan, transferring her to an undisclosed location without charges. Authorities later blocked her social media accounts, erasing her artistic platform. Her case reflects escalating pressure on women artists, Kurdish identity, and all who use culture for peaceful expression. Following the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, musicians face intimidation and prosecution under vague security charges.
In August 2025, performances of the Malas brothers’ play All Naked, and You’re Doing Fine were abruptly halted in Tartus following their public criticism of ongoing abuses. While local reports described cancelled shows and suspended workshops, the Ministry of Culture denied issuing any ban, calling it a “misunderstanding.” Performances later resumed.
The arrest of veteran Algerian journalist Saad Bouakba has reignited debate over shrinking space for free expression in Algeria. Detained after remarks on alleged historical financial misconduct linked to the FLN, Bouakba now faces charges of defamation and insulting state symbols. His case highlights the growing criminalization of dissent, the fragility of historical debate, and the mounting risks faced by journalists, artists, and commentators who challenge official narratives.
The arrest of Baul singer Maharaj Abul Sarkar has intensified a national debate over religion, law, and artistic freedom in Bangladesh. Accused of hurting religious sentiment during a stage performance, Sarkar was detained and jailed, prompting protests, counter-rallies, and violent clashes. Artists and civil society leaders warn the case reflects a wider pattern of pressure on folk and syncretic traditions, with blasphemy-style accusations increasingly used to suppress cultural expression.
As war escalated in Gaza after October 2023, Meta’s platforms became crucial spaces for documentation and solidarity. Yet investigations and leaks suggest a vast system of digital censorship targeting Palestinian and pro-Palestinian content, allegedly in close coordination with Israeli authorities. While platforms deny political bias, artists and activists across the Arab world are now developing creative strategies to evade algorithmic suppression and preserve their narratives.
Traditional musician Abbas Peymani was arrested by Iran’s IRGC Intelligence in Shahriar after criticizing political and economic conditions on social media. Taken to an undisclosed location with no public charges, his fate remains unknown, raising fears of enforced disappearance. Rights monitors say the case reflects a wider crackdown on artists, where peaceful expression is treated as a security threat and cultural voices are silenced.
Malaysian pop group Dolla faces national debate after their music video “Question” was removed by Universal Music Malaysia due to conservative backlash. Religious authorities criticized the outfits, raising questions on artistic freedom, self-censorship, and syariah law enforcement. Civil rights groups defend the artists, while fans call for creative autonomy. The controversy highlights tensions between modern pop culture and Malaysia’s cultural norms.
Peru’s APCI law, strengthened by the September 2025 sanctions regulation, is raising alarms in the arts and culture sector. Artists, filmmakers, and cultural organizations warn of potential fines, project cancellations, and indirect censorship due to vague rules and prior-approval requirements. While no cultural institutions have yet been penalized, the law’s chilling effect is reshaping creative freedom, international collaborations, and civil society engagement in Peru.
In 2025, Libya’s creative community faces unprecedented restrictions as authorities in the East and West impose strict controls over music, theater, and visual arts. Rap concerts are canceled, festivals shut down, and galleries closed, while bloggers and artists face surveillance, threats, and arbitrary detention. Human rights groups warn that these measures are driving self-censorship, exile, and the suppression of Libya’s vibrant cultural expression, raising urgent concerns about freedom of expression.
A young singer in Tangier faced legal consequences after his Eid al-Fitr performance went viral, drawing criticism for content viewed as inappropriate for minors. The Tangier Court of First Instance imposed a suspended prison sentence and a fine. The case demonstrates how social media and local public-morals laws intersect with neighborhood celebrations in Morocco.
Turkish film producer Çiğdem Mater remains in prison, convicted for the “intention” to create a documentary on the 2013 Gezi Park protests—a film never made. Her sentence highlights the rise of artistic repression in Turkey, turning creative planning into a crime. Ongoing global advocacy efforts push for her release as her case becomes a global symbol in the fight for artistic and civic freedoms
In 2025, Tunisian artists, cultural organizations, and independent media face mounting pressure from administrative suspensions, audits, and legal scrutiny. Dream City 2025 continued its program, but the broader arts ecosystem experiences self-censorship, interrupted projects, and heightened risk. Independent media collective Nawaat illustrates the intersection of artistic, journalistic, and civic freedoms under threat in Tunisia today.
Yekaterina Barabash, a renowned Russian film critic and journalist, became a symbol of defiance after opposing Russia’s “war-fakes” law. Arrested in 2025 for anti-war commentary, she was placed under house arrest before escaping Moscow with help from Reporters Without Borders. Now in France, Barabash continues to speak out for artistic freedom and against censorship in Putin’s Russia.
Built on Vespa Cloud, the Civsy-project of Mimeta unifies scattered reports of artistic censorship into a centralized, trustworthy, and searchable platform. By integrating advanced indexing and AI-driven relevance, Civsy empowers researchers, journalists, and advocates to explore global censorship patterns, ensuring transparency and accessibility in the defense of artistic freedom.
Russian street musician Diana Loginova, 18, and her band Stoptime, were arrested in St. Petersburg in October 2025 after performing anti-Kremlin songs by banned artists. Their public protest sparked viral online support and waves of solidarity, highlighting the risks artists face for dissent under Russia’s expanding censorship laws. The case underscores the importance of artistic freedom and youth resistance to governmental repression.
The arrest of 16 suspects in Mexico on November 1, 2025, for the murder of two Colombian musicians has exposed a chilling reality: criminal organizations across Latin America are systematically targeting artists. The case of Bayron Sánchez (B-King) and Jorge Luis Herrera (Regio Clown) illuminates growing dangers facing artists in regions where organized crime intersects with artistic freedom. From Peru's extortion crisis to Colombia's conflict zones and Brazil's gang coercion, artists throughout the region face violence.
On October 27, 2025, Myanmar authorities detained a director, actor, and comedian under draconian new laws criminalizing criticism of the election slated for December. Their names remain unreleased by responsible media, highlighting wider dangers for artists. The move reflects an intensifying crackdown on creative expression and dissent as the regime gears up for a widely contested vote.
Since October 2025, Iranian authorities have arrested at least five rappers and a composer, targeting minority artists from Ahwazi Arab and Kurdish communities. Forced confessions and public apologies, circulated online and via state-linked channels, expose a systematic campaign of intimidation. Human rights groups report beatings, denial of legal counsel, and coercion, highlighting a broader pattern of repression against artists and activists across Iran.
Since the disputed October 2025 election, Tanzania has plunged into crisis. Widespread protests over alleged electoral fraud have been met with deadly force and tight censorship. Artists, musicians, and writers face growing repression, with the creative community emerging as both a target and a symbol of resistance. The struggle for free expression is now central to Tanzania’s uncertain future.
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I work carefully and imperceptibly below the surface when it comes to freedom of artistic expression. Deep down I stand by those who want to break it but remind them of realities above the surface. At the same time, the water becomes shallower. This is my duty as a producer.
(Faisal Kiwewa, Bayimba, Uganda.)
