Cracow 1991 I. Culture and Freedom 1. The participating States emphasize that respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms is essential to the full development of cultural creativity. 2. The State and the public authorities will refrain from infringing upon the freedom of artistic creation. 3. The participating States undertake to promote and protect the free and unhindered development of artistic creativity; they recognize the important role of the individual artist in society and will respect and protect the integrity of creative work. 4. They recognize the need for governments to strike a balance between their dual responsibility of acting in support of, and ensuring the freedom of, cultural activity. 5. They further acknowledge that, given the variety of cultural activity in the participating States, there are many ways in which governments might choose to respond effectively to concerns relating to the cultural heritage. 6. The participating States recall their respect for freedom of expression and, in connection with the exercise of that freedom in the artistic and cultural fields, state as follows: 6.1 The publication of written works, the performance and broadcasting of musical, theatrical and audiovisual works, and the exhibition of pictorial or sculptural works will not be subject to restriction or interference by the State save such restrictions as are prescribed by domestic legislation and are fully consistent with international standards. 6.2 They express their conviction that the existence, in the artistic and cultural fields, of a diversity of means of dissemination independent of the State, such as publishing houses, radio broadcasting, cinema and television enterprises, theatres and galleries, helps to ensure pluralism and the freedom of artistic and cultural expression. 7. The participating States recall their commitments to unhindered access to culture, and agree as follows: 7.1 While duly respecting intellectual property rights, any person or independent organization has the right to own privately, use and reproduce all kinds of cultural materials, such as books, publications and audiovisual recordings, and the means of reproducing them. 8. The participating States are resolved to promote the mutual knowledge of their respective cultures. Accordingly, they will encourage co-operation and exchanges in all fields of culture and creative work. 9. The participating States are convinced of the enrichment which regional and local cultures, including those connected with national minorities, bring to cultural life. 94 OSCE Human Dimension Commitments