Speaking at the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, Professor Alexandra Xanthaki, Leon Langdon, Advocacy Officer for Humanists International, thanked the Special Rapporteur for her Report on the emerging issue of digital cultural heritage, noting its vital relevance in the context of technological advancement. He emphasized the importance of encouraging both state and non-state actors to approach their work with the international human rights framework at the forefront.
The statement welcomed the Special Rapporteur’s focus on freedom of expression, open access, and community ownership of digital cultural heritage, stressing that cultural heritage plays a crucial role in shaping collective identity and memory. He highlighted that digital cultural heritage, as an educational tool, can help combat intolerance and hate by emphasizing shared human experiences. However, he cautioned that the digitization of cultural heritage should not result in the erasure or oppression of certain identities, particularly when the narratives are controlled by powerful actors.
Finally, Humanists International reminded the Council that colonialism continues to affect cultural heritage ownership. He underscored the potential for digital cultural heritage to address past injustices and improve the preservation of cultural rights.
Humanists International has worked closely on the issue of cultural rights for many years. Last year, the Special Rapporteur cited the organization in her Report on the right to science. Humanists International is also just one of 424 organizations accredited with UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
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