A/HRC/55/44/Add.1
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
22 February 2024
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Fifty-fifth session
26 February–5 April 2024
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Visit to Germany
Report of the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights,
Alexandra Xanthaki*, **
Summary
The Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Alexandra Xanthaki, visited
Germany from 28 November to 9 December 2022. The purpose of the visit was to gain an
understanding, through cooperation and constructive dialogue, of the ways that the
Government endeavours to implement cultural rights, and identify good practices in, and
possible obstacles to, the promotion and protection of cultural rights in Germany. The Special
Rapporteur addresses a number of key issues related to the right of all to participate in the
cultural life of their choice, that is, to access, take part in, and contribute to cultural life in all
its facets and to freely express one’s world views, values and ways of life and engage with
those of others. She also addresses issues related to the representation of diversity in public
spaces and cultural institutions. She gives particular attention to LGBTIQ+ persons and
migrants, including refugees, and to memorialization practices and historical narratives
regarding past and recent migrations and how they contribute to shaping German identity
today.
Many of the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur are aimed at embedding the
good practices she witnessed for the implementation of cultural rights in the long-term
strategies, policies and legal structures of the country, in order to guarantee the full
realization of those rights for all, across every state in the country, regardless of political
agenda and majority.
* The present report was submitted to the conference services for processing after the deadline so as to
include the most recent information.
** The summary of the report is being circulated in all official languages. The report itself, which is
annexed to the summary, is being circulated in the language of submission only.
GE.24-01816 (E)
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