UNITED NATIONS

A
General Assembly
Distr. LIMITED A/HRC/6/L.33 26 September 2007 Original: ENGLISH

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL Sixth session Agenda item 3 PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF ALL HUMAN RIGHTS, CIVIL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT Algeria*, Armenia*, Belarus*, Egypt, Ethiopia*, Kazakhstan*, Sri Lanka and Tunisia*: draft resolution 6/... Protection of cultural heritage as an important component of the promotion and protection of cultural rights The Human Rights Council, Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Bearing in mind pertinent universal and regional legal instruments for the promotion and protection of cultural rights and for the protection of cultural heritage, including the principles enshrined in conventions, recommendations, declarations and charters for the protection of cultural heritage adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,

* Non-member States of the Human Rights Council. GE.07-14385 (E) 260907

A/HRC/6/L.33 page 2 Reaffirming that all human rights are universal, indivisible, interdependent and mutually reinforcing and must be treated in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing and with the same emphasis, Recalling that States parties to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights undertake to take steps, including those necessary for the conservation, development and diffusion of science and culture, in order to achieve full realization of the rights, as stipulated in article 15 of the Covenant, Reaffirming the importance of cultural diversity for the full realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other universally recognized instruments, Recalling that cultural diversity, flourishing within a framework of democracy, tolerance, social justice and mutual respect between peoples and cultures, is indispensable for peace and security at the local, national and international levels, Mindful that cultural heritage is an important component of the cultural identity of communities, groups and individuals, and of social cohesion, so that its intentional destruction may have adverse consequences on human dignity and human rights, Affirming that intentional destruction of cultural heritage violates the principles of international law, the principles of humanity and the dictates of public conscience, Reaffirming the importance of the protection of cultural heritage and the commitment to fight against its intentional destruction in any form so that such cultural heritage may be transmitted to the succeeding generations, Recognizing the valuable contributions of all religions to modern civilization and the contribution that dialogue among civilizations can make to an improved awareness and understanding of the common values shared by all humankind,

A/HRC/6/L.33 page 3 1. Recognizes that the promotion and protection of cultural rights and the respect for

different cultural identities are vital elements to advance freedom and progress everywhere, as well as to encourage tolerance, respect, dialogue and cooperation among different cultures, civilizations and peoples; 2. Reiterates that each culture has a dignity and value which must be respected and

preserved, and that respect for the diversity of belief, culture and language promotes a culture of peace and dialogue among all civilizations; 3. Recognizes that intentional destruction of cultural heritage may constitute advocacy

and incitement to national, racial or religious hatred and thereby violates fundamental principles of international human rights law, inter alia, the provisions as stipulated in article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; 4. Expresses grave concern about continuing acts of intentional destruction of cultural

heritage that take place in various parts of the world; 5. Underlines that States bear responsibility for intentional destruction or intentional

failure to take appropriate measures to prohibit, prevent, stop and punish any intentional destruction of cultural heritage of great importance for humanity, to the extent provided for by international law; 6. Calls upon States to reinvigorate their efforts in taking appropriate measures to

prevent, avoid, stop and suppress acts of intentional destruction of cultural heritage, wherever such heritage is located, both in peacetime and in the event of armed conflict, and to further enhance their national legislative, administrative, educational and technical measures in conformity with their international obligations; 7. Encourages all States, relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental

organizations and the media to promote a culture of tolerance and respect for the diversity of cultures, civilizations and religions and for cultural and religious sites, which represent an important aspect of the collective heritage of humankind;

A/HRC/6/L.33 page 4 8. Emphasizes the importance of continued cooperation at international and regional

levels in order to encourage dialogue among cultures with a view to ensuring wider and balanced cultural exchanges in the world in favour of intercultural respect and culture of peace; 9. Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to encourage all

relevant human rights bodies and mechanisms to pay due attention to the issue of promotion of cultural diversity and protection of cultural heritage as an important component of the promotion and protection of all human rights, including the full realization of cultural rights; 10. Encourages the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to enhance

consultations with the Council and cooperation with relevant international and regional organizations and bodies concerned with the issue of protection of cultural heritage in order to address human rights-related aspects of this issue; 11. Also requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to bring the

present resolution to the attention of all Governments, the competent United Nations organs, programmes and specialized agencies, as well as regional intergovernmental organizations, to solicit comments from them on the steps they have taken to promote and implement the present resolution, and to report to the Council at the ninth session of the Human Rights Council. -----