Cologne (dpa / lnw) - A giant in military clothing and protective gear keeps the world's mouth shut: the artist Jacques Tilly drew attention to attacks on freedom of expression in several countries with a large sculpture at an action by Amnesty International in Cologne. Nevertheless, the shouts get through, as an open mouth on the hands of the huge figure is supposed to symbolize. "Don't let yourself be banned," was the encouragement, Tilly told the German Press Agency on Saturday. Underneath the menacing figure, which is meant to be a mix of soldier and policeman, is the request to "raise your voice".
The figure was part of an action by Amnesty International on Saturday in Cologne. According to the organizers, around 150 Amnesty activists and supporters of the organization from all over Germany took part on Roncalli Square near Cologne Cathedral. They called for respect for human rights, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression worldwide. Human-sized letters were held up in the air.
"People who stand up for and remind people that human rights are universal are being persecuted and threatened in more and more countries. Recent developments in Russia are just one example," said Markus N. Beeko, Secretary General of Amnesty International in Germany , in a statement. "Respect for freedom of information and freedom of expression and the necessary prosecution of human rights crimes and the protection of all those who campaign for them therefore need all our attention and solidarity," he added.
"I can't do my job without freedom of expression," Tilly said, according to an Amnesty International statement. This sculpture is also a solidarity action "for all the oppressed satirists and journalists and people all over the world who cannot open their mouths or only under difficult circumstances."
