Numerous human rights mechanisms have already raised their voices to warn about the impact of the pandemic on human rights and to provide guidance about the human rights issues to keep in mind when taking measures to counter it.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has given international organisations, including ICOMOS, the opportunity to share reflections on protecting human rights during and after COVID-19.

At this time of unprecedented challenge caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the ICOMOS Our Common Dignity Initiative – Rights Based Approaches Working Group, expresses its solidarity with the cultural heritage communities around the world.

[Update 4 March 2020]

ICOMOS South Africa has invited representatives from 17 African countries to be part of a master level pilot course in human rights and cultural heritage from 13 to 17 March 2017. The training, led by the Norwegian Centre for Human Rights University of Oslo, was held at Ditsong Museum, Pretoria. The report is now available.

What are human rights and what do they mean for heritage management? How are decisions made about the heritage? What norms are applied in decision making? Which values, principles and approaches guide those decisions?  Are all relevant rights bearers and duty holders involved?  Will all parties feel the decisions to be inclusive, effective, efficient, participatory and legitimate? How can we identify opportunities and expected heritage developments involving rights bearers? This workshop intends to address these questions and propose concrete case studies.