GENEVA (6 June 2019) - The United Nations Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Karima Bennoune, will visit the Republic of the Maldives from 9 to 18 June 2019 to assess efforts to implement cultural rights for all.
“This is the first visit by a UN Special Rapporteur to the country since 2013 and the first visit of the cultural rights mandate to South Asia,” said Bennoune, who is tasked by the UN Human Rights Council with monitoring, reviewing and advising on cultural rights in all countries.
“I look forward to learning how the Republic of the Maldives understands the realisation of cultural rights, and how it endeavours to implement these rights through laws and policies, especially in the way it respects universal human rights which constitute the framework for cultural rights, and in the way it respects and promotes cultural diversity and cultural expressions.”
The expert also plans to investigate the impact of fundamentalism and extremism on the enjoyment of cultural rights by all and on how people can take part in public spaces and cultural life without discrimination, as guaranteed by international standards.
“Considering the particular situation of the Maldives, I will also assess policies designed to mitigate the threat climate change poses to the cultures and cultural heritage in the Maldives, and how culture and creativity are used to respond to the existential challenges resulting from climate change.”
She will visit a number of islands and will meet central and local authorities, as well as a wide range of people working in the field of culture, including academics, artists and relevant institutions. She will also hold talks with civil society organisations and representatives of UN agencies, enabling them to share their experiences, discuss good practices and identify challenges in the enjoyment of cultural rights.
At the end of her mission, the Special Rapporteur will share her preliminary observations at a news conference at 1.30 pm local time on Tuesday, 18 June, at the Maagiri Hotel, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Male. Access to the news conference will be strictly limited to journalists.
Bennoune will present a comprehensive report on her visit to a future session of the UN Human Rights Council.
