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.
More information on the
mandate.
Current question in focus: cultural rights defenders
Cultural rights defenders – human rights defenders who defend cultural rights in accordance with international standards – are an important constituency among human rights defenders. Their work in every region of the world is essential for the implementation of an integral part of the universal human rights framework: cultural rights.
The aim of the present report (A/HRC/43/50) is to raise awareness about the work of cultural rights defenders, with a view to enhancing the attention and assistance they receive. The report includes a definition of cultural rights defenders; an overview of the diverse human rights work they engage in; discussion of the challenges and risks they face and of the international legal framework protecting and enabling their work; and specific recommendations for better recognizing, defending and supporting them.
