STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 49th Session.
Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur
in the field of cultural rights
Statement delivered by Ms Jannicke Graatrud, Minister, Deputy Permanent Representative on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries
(Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden)
Check against delivery
8 March 2022
President,
Madam Special Rapporteur,
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries.
Our countries attach great importance to the promotion of all human rights, including the rights for each person - to access, participate and contribute to cultural life in society without discrimination.
The right to freedom of artistic expression includes the right to express ideas and opinions through arts or any media of one’s choice.
We support the independence of your mandate and wish you all the best in the important work on promoting cultural rights.
In many countries artists and cultural workers are subjected to censorship, discrimination and persecution. Cultural professionals and the public alike are being denied the right to take part in the cultural life. Blasphemy laws and anti-terrorism legislation are increasingly used to persecute and detain artists of all kinds and to censor artistic expression.
Women artists and cultural practitioners and those with minority background, are disproportionately subject to harassment, persecution and imprisonment as a result of their work.
Cultural rights are for all, including individuals belonging to marginalized groups, irrespective of gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, disability or ethnicity.
Madam Special Rapporteur,
How can we ensure cultural rights for marginalized individuals and groups?
Thank you!