Report of the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Farida Shaheed. Addendum. Visit to Viet Nam (18–29 November 2013)

Description

The Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights undertook an official visit to Viet Nam from 18 to 29 November 2013 at the invitation of the Government. The purpose of the visit was to assess, in a spirit of cooperation and dialogue, both the achievements of Viet Nam and the challenges remaining in the implementation of cultural rights, understood as rights of all persons to express their identity and to have access to, participate in and contribute to cultural life, without hindrance or fear. The Special Rapporteur focused on three issues, namely, history teaching, artistic freedoms and the impact of development and tourism policies on the enjoyment of cultural rights. Viet Nam has made remarkable progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals and realizing a range of economic, social and cultural rights. In particular, considerable efforts are under way to enlarge access to education and culture, including in rural areas and remote regions. The top-down approach in the design and implementation of government policies in the area of culture, however, coupled with restrictions on the right to freedom of expression, are significant obstacles to the implementation of cultural rights in the country. Allowing a plurality of voices in history teaching and in the arts is necessary. There is more space for the enjoyment of artistic freedoms in Viet Nam than in past decades; however, many challenges remain, largely due to the multiplicity of regulations in the area of artistic expression, which curtail artistic freedom, and a system of prior and post censorship of the arts. Many of the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations are grounded in the principle that communities should fully participate in all decision-making affecting them, in particular in cultural heritage matters. Their participation in the identification, interpretation, development and management of cultural heritage should be ensured, and government policies should unequivocally support an informed, open and participatory debate with and within communities.

Keywords

United Nations

UN

Human Rights Council

Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights

Farida Shaheed

Viet Nam