Ministers of Culture from the MED9 countries issued on Monday a joint declaration reaffirming their commitment to upholding cultural rights in times of crisis, at an online meeting in the context of the MED9 Summit held in Cyprus. The declaration was made during a hybrid conference on "Cultural Rights in Times of Crisis," which emphasised the need to protect and promote cultural diversity and human rights in an era marked by political, economic, technological and environmental challenges. The MED9 initiative includes Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. Cultural rights as a component of external relations ----------------------------------------- The declaration stressed the political urgency of safeguarding cultural rights, particularly in the Euro-Mediterranean region as an important component of external relations. The MED9 declaration commits to respect, fulfil and protect cultural rights as have been recognised in international human rights law -and in partic ular Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights-, as interpreted currently by the United Nations bodies. It recognises that cultures are dynamic and encompass ways of life that include tangible, living and natural aspects. The ministers emphasised the key role that cultural rights play in achieving sustainable development goals, and how the exercise of these rights can transform individuals and cultural communities by fostering freedom, agency, and possibilities to participate in and contribute to the wider society. The ministers expressed concern over the lack of visibility for cultural rights in global debates on issues such as sustainable development and peace, migration, science and technology, as well as women's rights. They reaffirmed their commitment to fulfilling their obligations under international law, as interpreted by United Nations bodies, and ensuring that all individuals have the right to participate in the cultural life of their societies and communiti es. Action on cultural diversity and inclusion ---------------------------------------------- The MED9 ministers say in the declaration that they are committed to protecting cultural diversity and promoting intercultural dialogue. Special attention was given to the cultural rights of marginalised and vulnerable groups, including women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, minorities indigenous peoples, migrants and refugees, people living in poverty, persons with physical, psychosocial and/or intellectual disability, children and older persons. They also committed to resist any attempts to undermine cultures within their territories by media, politicians and other entities, acknowledging that such undermining can lead to the dehumanisation of sections of the population and to violations of other rights as well as ethnic tensions and conflicts. The declaration also points out the importance of effective participation of people in cultural policies and initiatives, including in their conception, creation, delivery and ev aluation of programmes relating to or impacting cultural rights. Furthermore, the ministers recognised that cultural rights are not absolute and cannot be invoked to impair other rights and interests using the tools of international human rights law. Artistic freedom and cultural heritage protection -------------------------------------------------- Artistic freedom was affirmed as a cultural right, with the MED9 countries pledging to guarantee this right for all. The ministers also committed to protecting cultural heritage, both in times of peace and conflict, and ensuring that heritage is defined by the communities that hold it. They called for the UNESCO and Council of Europe frameworks on cultural heritage to be interpreted in ways that respect and promote the cultural rights of all. They pledged to respect common European values as enshrined in Articles 2 and 3.3 of the Treaty on European Union. They also committed to work towards educating their societies on the scope of cultural rights, in partic ular policy makers, our public bodies and enforcement agencies. They also declared that they would strive towards the justiciability of cultural rights at the domestic level and consider aligning their efforts with the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. They also committed to ensure that individuals and groups have their right to cultural heritage. Cultural rights in sustainable development ------------------------------------ The MED9 declaration emphasized the integral role of culture in sustainable development and urged for its inclusion as a set alone goal in the post-2030 Agenda. The ministers stressed the need for continued collaboration on regional cultural cooperation, artistic freedom, and the preservation of Mediterranean cultural heritage, all within the framework of cultural diversity, dialogue, and equity. Finally, the MED9 countries pledged to work together, as well as with other states and international organizations, to place cultural rights at the center of global discussions on arts, cultural heritage, sustainable development, migration, sports and women's rights. Source: Cyprus News Agency