Cyprus is positioning itself at the forefront of cultural rights advocacy amidst ongoing regional unrest, Deputy Minister of Culture Vasiliki Kassianidou said on Monday during the MED9 conference titled ‘Cultural Rights in Times of Crisis’, held at the University of Cyprus in Nicosia.
Kassianidou stressed the importance of safeguarding cultural rights during periods of crisis, reflecting Cyprus’ active role in supporting the UN’s mandate on cultural rights.
The deputy minister pointed to the longstanding support from Cyprus’ permanent delegation in Geneva, which has spearheaded an initiative at the UN Human Rights Council, that led to a joint statement endorsed by 146 countries, stressing the need for protection and respect for cultural rights.
Organised by the deputy ministry of culture in collaboration with the Organisation of European Programmes and Cultural Relations and the University of Cyprus, the conference is part of the MED9 Summit framework.
The Med9 is an alliance of nine Mediterranean and Southern European Union member states, namely Cyprus, Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.
This year, Cyprus is holding the MED9 presidency, with several ministerial meetings scheduled over the next two weeks. Kassianidou also chaired an online meeting of culture ministers on Monday, focusing on identifying challenges and strategies for enhancing cultural rights and resilience in the Mediterranean region.
The culmination of Cyprus’ MED9 presidency will be the summit of heads of state on the island during the second week of October, where the results of the ongoing ministerial discussions, including Monday’s conference, will be formalised.
Kassianidou underlined the significance of cultural rights in situations of crisis, pointing out that the selection of the conference theme was timely, as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion.
She highlighted “the continued cultural violations affecting Cypriots, including the looting and destruction of heritage sites and restrictions on access to homes and places of worship in the occupied territories.”
“This year also marks the 20th anniversary of Cyprus’ EU membership, a milestone reflecting its historical and cultural ties to Europe,” she said. “As the Eastern Mediterranean faces renewed instability, Cyprus is committed to advocating for the protection of cultural rights.”
Kassianidou also praised the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights for her leadership in advancing standards and practices related to cultural rights, adding that Cyprus’ active role in drafting a UN resolution on cultural heritage and diversity “has been instrumental in shaping international human rights standards”.
Speaking after her, the University of Cyprus’ rector Professor Tassos Christofides mentioned the shared values and challenges faced by MED9 countries, including the preservation of genuine creativity amid rapid technological advancements.
He said that in current times “there is a need to balance culture and technology and ensure the authenticity of cultural expressions in the digital age”.
On her part, the head of the European Commission’s Cultural Policy Unit Catherine Magnant stressed the crucial role of MED9 states in preserving and promoting cultural rights.
“Cultural rights are often compromised during wars, geopolitical instability, economic hardships, and climate change,” she said. “That is why I want to commend EU policies aimed at enhancing democratic participation and supporting the arts.”
The UN Special Rapporteur Alexandra Xanthaki praised Cyprus for its leadership in cultural rights, hailing its role in drafting a significant resolution at the UN Human Rights Council.
Xanthaki said she hopes that the conference “would reinforce support for international human rights standards and encourage collective action on cultural rights”.
Finally, the director of the antiquities department George Georgiou mentioned the negative impact of the ongoing occupation on Cyprus’ cultural heritage, citing damage to numerous historical sites and limited access for local communities.
“Preserving cultural heritage is vital for identity and peace. We need to promote cultural cooperation in order to foster diversity and dialogue,” Georgiou said.
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