A/HRC/43/50/Add.2 III. Realizing cultural rights in Maldives: specific issues A. Awareness of and access to cultural resources 1. Cultural diversity and identity 28. Maldivians and the Government of Maldives must critically assess the negative consequences of official narratives that frame Maldivian identity as homogeneous, neglecting the country’s cross-cultural history and the cultural practices that make up the richness of Maldivian island cultures. Alternatives to the narrow interpretation of identity often presented in official discourse need to be strengthened. 29. Discussions held by the Special Rapporteur throughout her visit indicate that there are multiple diversities between the atolls, including in the way people speak Dhivehi, the ways in which they celebrate important events and in how they have developed songs, dances and crafts. Failing to recognize this diversity in the official discourse led, on the one hand, to insufficient public measures and mechanisms for its protection and promotion and, on the other hand, to limitations in the development of the conditions necessary for an inclusive society. 30. It is important that Maldivians and the Government of Maldives recognize the reality of cultural diversity in contemporary society and in the country’s history. Past failures to adequately teach, preserve and share knowledge about the arts, culture and history of the country; the limited display of Maldivian creativity in the media, museums and the tourist industry; and insufficient support for artistic education and performances in schools, theatres and galleries have all contributed to the rapid disappearance of significant practices in many places in the country and the related loss of important elements of Maldivian cultural identity. From a cultural rights perspective, historical narratives are an important part of cultural heritage and are crucial elements shaping individual and collective identities (A/68/296). Knowing about one’s culture and history is also an important tool for building resilience in the face of globalization, rapid development and threats associated with climate change. 31. The Government must ensure the right of everyone to take part in cultural life and to have access to public spaces. This includes women, persons with disabilities, young people and migrants, who all need to have dedicated spaces and opportunities to pursue cultural activities and practices with others, and the possibility of contributing to the cultural life of the entire society. 2. Importance of the Dhivehi language 32. Dhivehi and all its dialects are a precious and vital cultural resource for Maldives. The Special Rapporteur was delighted to visit the Dhivehi Language Academy and its library and to learn about its efforts to promote the language, poetry and historical knowledge, through creative means such as history quiz competitions. 33. She was, however, concerned about the insufficient number of Dhivehi teachers throughout the country, and the fact that, even in preschools, teaching in Dhivehi could not be mainstreamed. She hopes the Dhivehi Language Academy will be provided with further resources to continue and expand its work. Full consideration must be given to the preservation of Dhivehi and its important regional dialects in relevant educational and other policies. 3. Right to access and enjoy cultural heritage 34. Cultural heritage is a human rights issue to which a human rights approach is necessary (A/HRC/17/38 and A/71/317). While the Special Rapporteur was impressed by the rich cultural heritage resources she was able to visit, such as the Coral Stone Mosques, 2 she also shares the concerns expressed to her by numerous Maldivians about the scarcity of heritage sites, objects and artefacts that have been identified, protected and inventoried to 2 See Yahaya Ahmad and Mauroof Mohamed Jameel, Coral Stone Mosques of Maldives: Vanishing Indian Ocean Legacy (Los Angeles, California, Gulf Pacific Press, 2015). 7