Arts

Ai Weiwei, Joan Baez honoured by Amnesty

Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei and US folk singer Joan Baez have been honoured with Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience award.

Ai Weiwei next to his sculpture Forever, outside the Gherkin building in London, which is part of the Sculpture in the City 2015 series of public artworks.. Picture date: Wednesday September 16, 2015. Photo credit should read: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire

Ai Weiwei next to his sculpture Forever, outside the Gherkin building in London, which is part of the Sculpture in the City 2015 series of public artworks.. Picture date: Wednesday September 16, 2015. Photo credit should read: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire Source: AAP

Amnesty International has awarded its top honour to Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei and US folk singer Joan Baez.

Ai said in an interview on Tuesday the Ambassador of Conscience award was a reminder of his social responsibilities as an artist, especially as the Chinese government tightens its grip on free expression.

He noted that the repression was affecting "ordinary people around us concerned about basic issues" while answering a question about five women's rights activists who remain in detention for planning anti-harassment protests.

Baez was cited for civil rights activism in the US dating back 50 years.

Previous award winners include Myanmar dissident Aung San Suu Kyi and Irish rock band U2.

Share
1 min read
Published 24 March 2015 9:40pm
Updated 25 March 2015 6:06am
Source: AAP

Share this with family and friends

Recommended for you

A silhouette of a woman sitting at a computer with her head resting on her fists

Alana was shocked when her boss shared her diagnosis in public. What does the law say?

privacy breaches

A split image featuring three photos of Australian brush turkeys.

They aren't 'particularly smart'. But this bird is back in a big way in some parts of Australia

birdwatching

A man standing outside smiling at a camera.

'I don't deserve this': The under-reported disorder among Australian men

eating disorders

A composite image of Penny Wong and Benjamin Netanyahu.

Wong responds to Netanyahu's ICC arrest warrant as US labels move 'outrageous'

2024 mideast wars

An older woman walking. Houses are in the background.

Tanya is 79 and owns a $2.5 million home. She lives with young housemates

renting

A close up of a hand giving an injection into an arm

We now know when a new COVID vaccine will be released. Should you get a booster?

covid-19 vaccine rollout

A composite image of three men: the one on the left in a dark suit and red tie, the middle standing in front of microphones in a dark suit and red tie and the man on the right in a dark suit and blue tie.

'An enormous favour': What Hunter Biden's pardon could mean for Trump's second term

pardons and commutations

A woman with an eye patch over her right eye laying in a hospital bed.

Australian injured in alleged Israeli shooting speaks from hospital: 'I demand an investigation'

war