Summary

The Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Alexandra Xanthaki, visited Germany from 28 November to 9 December 2022. The purpose of the visit was to gain an understanding, through cooperation and constructive dialogue, of the ways that the Government endeavours to implement cultural rights, and identify good practices in, and possible obstacles to, the promotion and protection of cultural rights in Germany. The Special Rapporteur addresses a number of key issues related to the right of all to participate in the cultural life of their choice, that is, to access, take part in, and contribute to cultural life in all its facets and to freely express one’s world views, values and ways of life and engage with those of others. She also addresses issues related to the representation of diversity in public spaces and cultural institutions. She gives particular attention to LGBTIQ+ persons and migrants, including refugees, and to memorialization practices and historical narratives regarding past and recent migrations and how they contribute to shaping German identity today.

Many of the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur are aimed at embedding the good practices she witnessed for the implementation of cultural rights in the long-term strategies, policies and legal structures of the country, in order to guarantee the full realization of those rights for all, across every state in the country, regardless of political agenda and majority.