E/C.12/GC/21
VI. Obligations of actors other than States
73.
While compliance with the Covenant is mainly the responsibility of States parties,
all members of civil society — individuals, groups, communities, minorities, indigenous peoples, religious bodies, private organizations, business and civil society in general — also
have responsibilities in relation to the effective implementation of the right of everyone to
take part in cultural life. States parties should regulate the responsibility incumbent upon
the corporate sector and other non-State actors with regard to the respect for this right.
74.
Communities and cultural associations play a fundamental role in the promotion of
the right of everyone to take part in cultural life at the local and national levels, and in
cooperating with States parties in the implementation of their obligations under article 15,
paragraph 1 (a).
75.
The Committee notes that, as members of international organizations such as United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World
Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the International Labour Organization (ILO),
the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health
Organization (WHO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), States parties have an
obligation to adopt whatever measures they can to ensure that the policies and decisions of
those organizations in the field of culture and related areas are in conformity with their
obligations under the Covenant, in particular the obligations contained in article 15 article
2, paragraph 1, and articles 22 and 23, concerning international assistance and cooperation.
76.
United Nations organs and specialized agencies, should, within their fields of
competence and in accordance with articles 22 and 23 of the Covenant, adopt international
measures likely to contribute to the progressive implementation of article 15, paragraph 1
(a). In particular, UNESCO, WIPO, ILO, FAO, WHO and other relevant agencies, funds
and programmes of the United Nations are called upon to intensify their efforts to take into
account human rights principles and obligations in their work concerning the right of
everyone to take part in cultural life, in cooperation with the Office of the United Nations
High Commissioner for Human Rights.
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