Statement during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights (9.3.2022)

"Greece would like to welcome the Special Rapporteur and thank her for her first report. Greece aligns itself with the statement of the European Union.

It is our firm conviction that cultural rights are of paramount importance for the realization of human rights. In this vein, substantive equality in the exercise of cultural rights, as you suggest in your report, is the cornerstone for their full enjoyment. The intersectional way forward that you propose reminds us that culture is both a tool of identity and empowerment, bearing though in mind that religious interpretations and patriarchal social constructs are often used to restrict cultural expression.

On the protection of cultural rights relating to monuments, objects and sites, we welcome your approach to engage further with a multitude of actors, such as communities, groups, minorities and victims in order to explore ways on how to redress the loss or damage of cultural heritage. In this respect, the 2016 Al-Mahdi judgment of the International Criminal Court should serve as a legal compass in case of intentional destruction of cultural heritage, given that the Rome Statute provides this opportunity.

Madame Rapporteur,

Since war and conflicts are unfortunately ongoing, even in this very moment as we speak, I would like to ask you whether you are planning to closely cooperate with the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court in order to draw his attention in cases that fall under the scope of Article 8 of the Rome Statute?
We look forward to cooperating with your mandate.

I thank you."