The number of cases have increased over 5 years, although the low number of challenges to artistic freedom between 2020 – 2022 may be due to the drastically reduced number of performances and cultural events during the pandemic.
Between 2023 – 2024, Indonesia had the highest record of cases at 67, a sharp increase over a 5 year period. This was followed by Malaysia with 50 cases and Vietnam, 21. Philippines’ 16 cases and Thailand’s 15 both continue a slow upward trend. In Cambodia, the incline over 5 years is steeper, indicating that arts and culture are coming under greater scrutiny there.