Professor Bennoune delivers U.N. report on COVID-19 and cultural rights

Professor Karima Bennoune, the U.N. special rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, warned in a March 3 report to the U.N. Human Rights Council that if urgent measures are not implemented, COVID-19 might lead to a global “cultural catastrophe” with severe, long-lasting consequences for human rights.

Bennoune noted that culture sectors have been among those hit hardest by the pandemic crisis.

“This is not the time for cuts in culture funding but for increases,” Bennoune said. “Culture and arts funding should be integrated into all COVID-19 relief and stimulus packages, with the specific nature of cultural and artistic work accounted for. Additionally, adequate, direct support for cultural workers is critical now, including full consideration of vulnerable sectors such as young artists. The creation of a global culture fund to save the cultural life of humanity should be considered.” Read the report. Read the U.N. press release.

As part of a busy few weeks related to the (virtual) 46th session of the Human Rights Council, Bennoune took part in an event with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs about freedom of artistic expression in a pandemic. Watch a video of the webinar.

Bennoune also was scheduled to join artist Tania Bruguera, actor Simon Callow and others for the March 9 Artists at Risk Connection event “Preventing ‘Cultural Catastrophe’ in the Pandemic: A Cultural Rights Approach.” The event is based on Bennoune’s report to the Human Rights Council. Register here.