During the 31st session of the Human Rights Council, the Permanent Representative of Cyprus delivered, on behalf of a cross-regional core group of countries, a Joint Statement on cultural rights and the protection of cultural heritage, which received support from 146 Member and Observer States.
The Joint Statement focuses on the detrimental impact that destruction of cultural heritage has on cultural rights. Whilst condemning all acts of intentional destruction to cultural heritage and expressing concern at the organized looting, smuggling and illicit trafficking in cultural objects, which may also generate funds for the financing of terrorism, the Statement aims at drawing the Council’s attention to the resulting human rights violations and abuses, calling for enhanced global cooperation in preventing and combating such illegal activities and in restoring the looted or trafficked cultural properties to their places of origin. It welcomes the decision by the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights to address this issue as a matter of urgent priority and calls for enhanced cooperation between the Council and other key international actors, with the aim of identifying best practices and innovative for preventing or mitigating damage to cultural heritage. Attention is also drawn to a relevant side-event that was held earlier in the Session, recognising the value of its deliberations in the consideration of future steps.
The full text, along with a complete co-sponsorship list can be found by clicking on the links appearing at the end of the text below. The relevant video link can be found by clicking here.
Taking into consideration the unprecedented levels of support that the Statement has received, the core group shall consider the possibility of tabling a relevant resolution in one of the coming sessions of the Council.