A/HRC/40/53
26.
Numerous experiences demonstrate how linguistic and cultural diversity can be
included in education43 and in health care. In the Philippines, including indigenous health
knowledge and allowing indigenous peoples to perform their practices related to the
delivery of babies at the hospital and with the presence of midwives has had a positive
impact on the rate of maternal deaths. Such initiatives can only flourish if States and local
authorities allow this to happen and consider those proposing their contribution to cultural
life as allies and partners in the implementation of cultural rights. Authorities must ensure
the necessary conditions, including a policy and administrative framework that fosters
freedom of expression, freedom of association, and access to heritage resources and to
public space.
E.
Developing partnerships and cooperation
27.
One last mode of implementation of cultural rights to be reviewed here consists in
developing inter-sectoral partnerships or coalitions that bring together local people, cultural
professionals, academics, politicians, human rights defenders and social activists. The
information received through the submissions shows a diversity of ways to do so, some of
which transcend national boundaries.
28.
A group of researchers from different universities has, for example, attracted
international funds and provided technical assistance to public authorities in their efforts to
restore and rehabilitate Iraqi cultural heritage. 44
29.
In Cameroon, financial, material and technical support were provided to associations
organising cultural events that helped in the implementation of recommendations of the
mandate on access to and enjoyment of cultural heritage.45 One example is the partnership
with the association Cinema Numérique Ambulant to allow free projection of movies
throughout the country.
30.
Based on the recommendations in the Special Rapporteur’s reports and the UN
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the International Federation of Library
Associations and Institutions (IFLA) developed its capacity to engage and collaborate with
indigenous peoples and marginalized groups: they engaged more regularly with these
groups to develop jointly a guidance for libraries on the best way to treat their respective
heritage. IFLA has also been working with WIPO to develop set of minimal exceptions and
limitations to copyrights.46
31.
In 2017, the City of Geneva initiated a partnership with other cities, civil society
organisations and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to commit to a
cultural rights approach to the protection of cultural heritage. 47
32.
This brief overview suggests what is possible in terms of regional, national and local
implementation initiatives, which are critical to successful implementation of international
cultural rights standards. The Special Rapporteur recalls that the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights calls on “every individual and every organ of society”, to work to secure
rights, reminding us that a range of actors is implicated in our achievement of cultural
rights for all. Relevant efforts of this nature by a wide array of bodies and persons must be
multiplied and diversified in all parts of the world. The Special Rapporteur looks forward to
continuing cooperation with the actors involved, and stands ready to assist them in their
efforts.
43
44
45
46
47
26
Institut Royal de la Culture Amazighe, p. 1.
RASHID, p. 6, 10.
National Human Rights Institute of Cameroon, II, 1, I.
IFLA, §1.1 and §1.7
See the website of the Declaration of Geneva: www.ville-geneve.ch/themes/geneveinternationale/declaration-geneve/.