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born with the guilt of being born
Code KR46MO
The artwork by LBS (Bruno Salvatore Latella) “Born with the guilt of being born” was created in the wake of the dramatic shipwreck off Cutro (Italy, Calabria) on 26 February 2023, when dozens of lives—including many minors identified by codes such as “KR46M0”—were shattered by the waves and institutional indifference. At the centre of the canvas stands little KR46M0, stylized and suspended in a grey-blue void, his code inscribed to underscore the reduction of each person to a mere number. From the lower-right diagonal bursts the hand of a Calabrian fisherman: a symbol of concrete solidarity and collective redemption, ready to extend aid where institutions have remained silent. The work, with its stark contrasts between emptiness and matter, essential lines and gestural materiality, documents the Cutro tragedy and celebrates the collective response of the Calabrian community. The original painting has now been acquired into the public heritage of the city of Crotone, as a permanent testament to the civic duty of welcome and the power of solidarity as true bulwarks of human rights.
Artist’s Declaration on Human Rights:
“Each individual is the guardian of another. When a child like KR46M0 dies at sea, it is not only a humanitarian tragedy but a moral failure of our society. I firmly believe that the right to life and the right to be welcomed are not concessions but inviolable foundations: they are not “favours” to be granted, but duties that every State and every citizen must honour. With this work, I pay tribute to the strength of Calabrian solidarity and issue a warning to European and international institutions: let us not turn away from suffering, but act with urgency to defend the rights of those who flee from war, hunger, and fear. Humanity is not a privilege of the few, but a bond that unites us all.” - Bruno Salvatore Latella (aka LBS)
"Mirror of Defiance" reflects my personal experience as an Afghan refugee and the emotional journey of many displaced women like myself.
Hasina Darya
Fleeing with Disabilities
Volodumuz
7 April 2022 | Volodumuz, 8, spends hours playing with balloons and musical toys at the Caritas welcoming center in Siret, Romania. He is autistic, nonverbal, unable to chew, and can only eat the foods he selects. Additionally, he is blind. Abandoned shortly after birth, he has lived in a special school ever since. He arrived in Siret on April 7th after a journey of approximately two weeks. Volodumuz is accompanied by Tanya, an educator who has cared for him at his special school in their hometown. To ensure the safety of Volodumuz, as well as Sergiy and Sasha, two other disabled orphans, Tanya made the difficult decision to leave one of her sons in Ukraine with his grandmother. Her youngest son is traveling with them as they seek refuge in another country until the war ends.
A project by Carolina Rapezzi
Since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022, some of the most vulnerable individuals fleeing Ukraine have included orphans, children with disabilities, minors, and autistic individuals.
Disabled orphans are often accompanied by their tutors or social educators—many of whom are mothers themselves. Some travel with their own children, while others are forced to leave their families behind in order to ensure the safety of those in their care.
For those with limited mobility, autism, blindness, or other disabilities, fleeing war zones requires specialized evacuation plans. Adapting to temporary and unfamiliar environments presents an ongoing challenge. Unlike other refugees, people with disabilities depend on access to specialized facilities, professional support, and medical treatments.
The prospect of returning to Ukraine remains uncertain. Social educators are exhausted and deeply miss their families. Although they hope to return one day, the process will likely be slow and complex due to bureaucratic hurdles, logistical challenges, and legal procedures.
join the movement
Artists, NGOs and organisations are invited to join the Human Rights Today exhibition.
Just send us a photo and a statement!
How it works for individual artists:
- send us a photo of your work (it can be a previous work or a new one)
- tell us why this work is important and your thoughts about human rights
- don't forget your social media @
How it works for organisations:
- Art Workshops:
Local organisations, schools, refugee camps, or community groups are invited to run art workshops inspired by the theme Human Rights Today. You can download a toolkit below. - Creation of Artworks:
Participants can create an original artwork inspired by their personal interpretation of human rights or a collective piece. - Submission Process:
Send us the image together with a short statement and tell us how it relates to human rights.
Left: "The storks return home" by Tatiana Frey - made on fragments of artillery shells collected in Ukraine
