Organization: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
[The General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation,]
(1) Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the two International Covenants, the Constitution of UNESCO and other relevant instruments;
(2) recognising that human rights are universal and indivisible and that cultural rights are, no less than other human rights, an expression and requirement of human dignity;
(3) considering the need to take into account cultural rights per se, on the one hand, and the cultural dimension of all currently recognised human rights, on the other;
(4) convinced that mutual respect between different cultural identities is both the precondition for combating intolerance, racism and xenophobia and the foundation of all democratic culture, which is essential for peace and development;
(5) believing that the recognition and exercise of cultural rights are means of protecting and promoting cultural identities and fostering the expression of different cultures and intercultural dialogue in democratic societies;
proclaims this Declaration on Cultural Rights with a view to encouraging their recognition and implementation locally, regionally, nationally and universally.
Article 1. definitions
For the purposes of this Declaration,
b. the term "cultural identity" applies to all cultural references through which individuals or groups define and express themselves and by which they wish to be recognised; cultural identity embraces the liberties inherent to human dignity and brings together, in a permanent process, cultural diversity, the particular and the universal, memory and aspiration.
c. a "cultural community" is a group of persons who share those cultural references that comprise a common cultural identity, and which they wish to preserve and develop, as essential to their human dignity, in the respect of human rights.
The rights expressed in this Declaration are an integral part of human rights, and are therefore essential for human dignity ; consequently :
b. Recognition and implementation of, and respect for, the cultural rights defined below entail positive as well as negative obligations for every individual, community and public authority.
c. The exercise of these rights may only be subject to those restrictions that are prescribed by law and be necessary in a democratic society in the defense of law and order and the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
1. Everyone, either alone or in community with others, has the right to:
b. knowledge of, and respect for, his or her own culture and the cultures of others which, in their diversity, contribute to the common heritage of humanity, this entails in particular the right to knowledge of human rights and fundamental freedoms, which are essential components of this heritage;
c. access to cultural heritages which are significant manifestations and expressions of the various cultures.
Article 4. identification with a cultural community
1. Everyone is free to choose whether or not to identify with a cultural community or with more than one cultural community simultaneously, regardless of borders, and to modify that choice;
2. No one may be designated as belonging to a cultural community, or be assimilated into one, against his or her will.
Article 5. participation in cultural life
1. Everyone, either alone or in community with others, is entitled, regardless of borders, to have access to and participate freely in cultural life through activities of his or her choice.
2. This right entails, in particular:
b. the freedom to acquire knowledge, conduct research and participate in creative activity.
Article 6. education and training
1. In the general context of the right to education, everyone, alone or in community with others, is entitled, in the course of his or her life, to education and training that contribute to the free and full development of his or her cultural identity in a manner that respects the diversity of cultures; this right covers, in particular:
b. the freedom to set up institutions for that purpose.
Article 7. Information
1. In the general context of the right to information, everyone, alone or in community with others, is entitled to information that contributes to the free and full development of his or her cultural identity in a manner respecting the diversity of cultures; this right covers, in particular:
b. the right to participate in its production and dissemination;
c. the right to correct and have corrected any erroneous information about cultures.
Article 8. participation in cultural policies
1. Everyone, alone or in community with others, is entitled to participate, inaccordance with democratic procedures, in the formulation, implementation and assessment of cultural policies which affect him or her, and in leading their own cultural development, by the cultural community in which it is in keeping with.
2. This right entails participation in policies of intercultural co-operation at all levels.
Article 9. implementation: general responsibility
The implementation of the present Declaration requires the initiative and support of members in civil society and public authorities in order:
b. to ensure that the obligations entailed by cultural rights are taken into account in everyday life;
c. to introduce appropriate attitudes and patterns of behaviour into domestic procedures and contacts.
It is the duty of States, as part of their specific responsibilities:
b. to grant access to effective remedies to everyone who, alone or in community with others, claims that his or her cultural rights have been violated, and to widen the scope for bringing complaints before the courts;
c. to strengthen means of international co-operation required for implementation and in particular to increase co-operation between the relevant intergovernmental organisations.