Introduction
The Human Rights Council, through resolution 10/23 decided to establish, for a period of three years, a new special procedure entitled “independent expert in the field of cultural rights”.
This mandate was further extended for a period of three years in 2015, through resolution 28/9 of 10 April, and in 2018, through resolution 37/12 of 22 March.
For more information on the mandate, please
click here.
Current question in focus: the contribution of artistic and cultural initiatives to creating and developing right-respecting societies
In her third report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/37/55), the Special Rapporteur addresses how actions in the field of arts and culture can make significant contributions towards creating, developing and maintaining societies in which all human rights are increasingly realized.
By engaging people and encouraging their interaction through artistic and cultural expression, actions in the field of culture can open a space in which individuals and groups can reflect upon their society, confront and modify their perception of one another, express their fears and grievances in a non-violent manner, develop resilience after violent or traumatic experiences, including human rights violations, and imagine the future they want for themselves and how to better realize human rights in the society they live in. The increased social interactions, mutual understanding and trust that can be built or rebuilt through these initiatives are essential to achieve a range of human rights goals and to respect cultural diversity.
