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3th November 2009, by the ATLF

"Each individual has a right to liberty of opinion and of expression, which implies the right to not be afraid for his opinions and to seek, receive and spread, without considering the boundaries, information and ideas by whichever means of expression. "Universal Declaration of the Rights of Man, 1948 (article 19)."

In a letter written to the Minister of Culture, a deputy registered with the UMP group of the National Assembly, Eric Raoult, declared that a "duty of reserve" imposed itself on writers who have received important awards in France, since "the message delivered by the laureates must respect national cohesion and the image of our country." 

Beyond the absurdity of this expression and the ignorance of which it is a proof, it is to our knowledge the first time in decades that an elected politician publicly demands the restriction of the artist's liberty of expression.

According to the so-called Le Pors Law of 1983, concerning the rights and obligations of state emloyees, it is stipulated that "liberty of opinion is guaranteed to state employees" (article 6). Does this mean that a writer, a simple citizen, would see his fundamental right refused to him, a right which it was nevertheless deemed necessary to vouchsafe for the agents of the state? 

The sole idea of subordonating the writer's expression to the defense of an "image" of his country reminds us of the darkest hours of our history. It makes the writer into a simple agent destined to serve power. Is France going to introduced the notion of a "national" writer?

The associations of literary authors and translators would like to express their uppermost worry in the light of these declarations. They themselves consider their "duty" to be the protection and support of the freedom of expression in France, a mission which they fulfill, and they will continue to do so in the future. 

SGDL -- ATLF

Alain Absire -- Olivier Mannoni