RES/6/6 Promotion of the enjoyment of the cultural rights of everyone and respect for cultural diversity

Human Rights Council

Resolution 6/6. Promotion of the enjoyment of the cultural rights of everyone and respect for cultural diversity

The Human Rights Council,

Recalling the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of

Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural

Rights, as well as other pertinent human rights instruments,

Recalling also resolutions 2002/26 of 22 April 2002, 2003/26 of 22 April 2003,

2004/20 of 16 April 2004 and 2005/20 of 14 April 2005 of the former Commission on

Human Rights,

Noting that numerous declarations within the United Nations system promote

respect for cultural diversity, as well as for international cultural cooperation, in

particular the Declaration of the Principles of International Cultural Cooperation and

the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Universal

Declaration on Cultural Diversity, adopted by its General Conference in 1966 and

2001 respectively,

Recalling its resolutions 5/1 and 5/2 of 18 June 2007,

Taking note of the Tehran Declaration and Programme of Action on Human

Rights and Cultural Diversity adopted at the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned

Movement on Human Rights and Cultural Diversity, held in Tehran, Islamic Republic

of Iran, on 3 and 4 September 2007,

Welcoming the entry into force on 18 March 2007 of the Convention on the

Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, adopted by the

General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural

Organization on 20 October 2005,

Stressing the importance of the promotion of the cultural rights of everyone

and of respect for cultural diversity,

Convinced that international cooperation in promoting and encouraging

respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all should be based on an

understanding of the economic, social and cultural specificities of each country and on

the full realization and recognition of the universality of all human rights and the

principles of freedom, justice, equality and non-discrimination,

1. Reaffirms that cultural rights are an integral part of human rights,

which are universal, indivisible, interrelated and interdependent;

2. Takes note of the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for

Human Rights on the promotion of the enjoyment of the cultural rights of everyone

and respect for different cultural identities (E/CN.4/2006/40);

3. Expresses its appreciation to States and intergovernmental and non-

governmental organizations that responded to or participated in the consultations held

pursuant to Commission on Human Rights resolutions 2002/26 of 22 April 2002,

2003/26 of 22 April 2003, 2004/20 of 16 April 2004 and 2005/20 of 14 April 2005;

4. Reaffirms that the establishment of a thematic procedure in the field of

cultural rights should not develop a new monitoring mechanism, and that the

appointment of an independent expert in the field of cultural rights could assist the

implementation of the present resolution, taking into account the work already done in

this field by other bodies, organs and organizations of the United Nations system;

5. Acknowledges that the process of review, rationalization and

improvement of mandates represents momentum towards the establishment of an

independent expert in the field of cultural rights, and to this end requests the

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to consult States,

intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations on the content and scope of

the mandate of the independent expert in the field of cultural rights, the basis of which

would be the comprehensive implementation of the present resolution, and to report

on the results of those consultations to the Council in accordance with its annual

programme of work;

6. Underlines that it is important to avoid overlapping with the activities

of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and other

bodies and organizations of the United Nations system when establishing the mandate

of the independent expert and to bear in mind the significance of encouraging synergy

between all actors dealing with cultural rights and the issue of cultural diversity;

7. Decides to continue its consideration of this matter in accordance with

the annual programme of work under the same agenda item.

[Adopted without a vote] 21st meeting

28 September 2007

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