Donders Yvonne
University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Int Soc Sci J. 2010;61(199):15-35. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2451.2010.01746.x.
The link between cultural diversity and human rights was clearly established by the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, adopted by the member states of UNESCO in 2001, which holds that "the defence of cultural diversity is … inseparable from respect for human dignity" and that it "implies a commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms." The UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, adopted in 2005, states that "cultural diversity can be protected and promoted only if human rights and fundamental freedoms … are guaranteed" (Article 2[1]). The precise relationship between cultural diversity and human rights, however, is not clarified and thus leaves room for further exploration. This contribution analyses the issues surrounding the relationship between cultural diversity and human rights, in particular cultural rights. Firstly, it addresses general human rights issues such as universality and cultural relativism and the principles of equality and non-discrimination. Secondly, it explores the scope of cultural rights, as well as the cultural dimension of human rights. Thirdly, several cases are discussed in which human rights were invoked to protect cultural interests, confirming the value of cultural diversity. Finally, some concluding remarks are presented, indicating which areas require attention in order to further improve the promotion and protection of human rights in relation to cultural diversity.
2001年，联合国教科文组织成员国通过了《世界文化多样性宣言》，该宣言明确确立了文化多样性与人权之间的联系。宣言认为，“捍卫文化多样性……与尊重人类尊严密不可分”，并且“意味着对人权和基本自由的承诺”。2005年通过的《联合国教科文组织保护和促进文化表现形式多样性公约》指出，“只有在人权和基本自由……得到保障的情况下，文化多样性才能得到保护和促进”（第2条第1款）。然而，文化多样性与人权之间的确切关系并未得到阐明，因此仍有进一步探索的空间。本文分析了围绕文化多样性与人权，特别是文化权利之间关系的诸多问题。首先，探讨普遍性和文化相对主义以及平等和不歧视原则等一般人权问题。其次，探究文化权利的范围以及人权的文化层面。第三，讨论了若干援引人权保护文化利益的案例，证实了文化多样性的价值。最后，给出一些结论性意见，指出为进一步改进与文化多样性相关的人权促进和保护工作，哪些领域需要予以关注。
