A/HRC/37/55/Add.1
(g)
Establish and support many open and free spaces for mutual interaction
and dialogue, especially in the academic, artistic and cultural spheres;
(h)
Strengthen and continue programmes, including in public education and
for teachers, that foster intercultural dialogue and greater respect for diversity and
emphasize tolerance and understanding of the culture and history of different
minority groups;29
(i)
Fully resource the important systems of ombudspersons and enhance
their capacity to respond to allegations of cultural rights violations;
(j)
Facilitate access to cultural and religious heritage sites so as to ensure
both security of sites and enjoyment of cultural rights;
(k)
Refrain from politicizing cultural heritage and cultural rights-related
issues, including for nationalistic agendas and in curricula;
(l)
Thoroughly investigate all acts of cultural heritage destruction and
damage and bring alleged perpetrators to justice in accordance with international
standards;
(m) Take all necessary steps to reactivate the Implementation and
Monitoring Council, as planned under Annex V of the Ahtisaari Plan, including
through demonstrations of good will, such as permitting reconstruction and repair
efforts in accordance with human rights and technical standards;
(n)
Make efforts to produce joint documentation of all past cultural heritage
destructions, for example through an independent truth commission with members
representing the diverse populations and possessing relevant expertise. Such a body
could make recommendations about reconstruction, accountability, memorialization
and reparation, as well as gather and complete existing documentation and assemble
shared narratives of the overall losses, with a view to redressing violations of cultural
rights;
(o)
Continue and accelerate efforts to reform history teaching to ensure that
it fosters critical thought and debate.30 Ensure cultural rights-based teaching and
awareness-raising about the cultural heritage of all, acknowledging the significance
specific sites may have for particular groups, as well as for all in Serbia and Kosovo,
and for humanity.
2.
Recommendations to the Government of Serbia
101.
The Government of Serbia should:
(a)
Ratify the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights and the International Convention on the Rights of All
Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families;
(b)
Develop without delay the promised cultural strategy which incorporates
cultural rights and the diversities of culture in Serbia. Hold wide-ranging
consultations about the policy with all relevant stakeholders, including civil society,
cultural rights defenders, experts and independent artists;
(c)
In consultation with the concerned minorities, enlarge access to bilingual
education so as to enable minority children to participate in the wider society while
still fully enjoying their linguistic rights. Balance implementation of the Law on
National Councils of National Minorities with the imperative of combating any
resulting segregation, both of which are important for the enjoyment of cultural
rights;
29
30
See the concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on
Serbia (CERD/C/SRB/CO/1), para. 21.
For more detailed recommendations, see A/68/296.
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