A/HRC/46/34 when the meanings of cultural expressions were heightened, those who produce arts and culture were finding their work increasingly difficult. Urgent action is needed to resolve this tension and guarantee the cultural rights of all. 6. In preparation for writing the present report, the Special Rapporteur circulated, jointly with other special procedure mandate holders, a call for input on protecting human rights during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, to be submitted by June 2020.12 She was pleased that 62 contributions from States, national human rights institutions and civil society replied specifically to questions posed in relation to her mandate. She also held two virtual expert meetings in November 2020, one organized with Safe Havens and the Museum of Movements, and another with the Artists at Risk Connection. These gatherings brought together cultural rights defenders and experts from nearly all regions of the world and from many fields. 13 She also sought input from diverse global experts, and thanks all who contributed to the report. II. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and responses to it, on cultural rights 7. The enjoyment of every single right covered by the Special Rapporteur’s mandate has been gravely affected by the pandemic and by some of the responses to it. The impacts vary widely and depend on, among other things, the efficacy of public health responses, and economic factors. In many contexts, culture sectors have been among those hardest hit by the crisis.14 Some experts have warned of irreversible cultural catastrophe if concerted, effective and adequately resourced action is not taken to avert such an outcome immediately, and consistently, as the world emerges from the pandemic.15 The consequences will be especially severe in the short and medium terms, but may have significant long-term effects. A cultural rights approach to these issues is absolutely necessary. Government responses must make clear the value of arts and culture and their importance for the enjoyment of human rights. The cultural rights commitments of States under international law require them to take action so as to avoid catastrophe but also to lead to cultural renewal as an essential component of any efforts to build back better. These are not simply wise policy choices but a question of international legal obligation. Comprehensive global and national inventories of cultural rights effects should be carried out around the world by Governments, in consultation with civil society, so as to organize comprehensive policy responses. A short survey of selected impacts follows. 8. Any meaningful human rights account of pandemic impacts must begin with those affected by the disease itself. Many leading cultural figures who are irreplaceable have died due to COVID-19, such as Cameroonian Afro-jazz legend Manu Dibango, “the original Giant of African Music”;16 Chinese film director Chang Kai, who passed away, along with three family members, in Wuhan, China; Chairman of the General Organization for Antiquities and Museums in Yemen, Mohanad al-Sayani, a bridge-builder whose death created uncertainty about the ongoing work to safeguard the cultural heritage of Yemen; pioneering eco-feminist, Jewish-American artist, Helène Aylon;17 and Aurelia Jifichiu, from the Bora people in the Colombian Amazon region, an award-winning indigenous language teacher,18 to name only a few. Many others became ill with COVID-19. Data must be gathered on how many have died in the culture sectors worldwide. The human and cultural impacts of these 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 4 Contributions are available at www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/CulturalRights/Pages/callCovid19.aspx. As in previous reports, country situations mentioned herein include cases that have been the subject of previous consideration by United Nations mechanisms and officials, reports from States, multilateral institutions and civil society organizations. See, e.g., contribution 2 from Argentina and contribution from Spain. See www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/jun/17/uk-creative-industries-facing-74bn-drop-in-incomeafter-lockdown. Angelique Kidjo (@angeliquekidjo), tribute to Manu Dibango, available at https://twitter.com/angeliquekidjo/status/1242378202946965504?s=20. See www.artnews.com/art-news/news/helene-aylon-dead-coronavirus-1202683365/. See www.eltiempo.com/vida/medio-ambiente/coronavirus-colombia-medicos-e-indigenas-quefallecieron-por-covid-19-527908 (in Spanish).