ADVICE

Here are some Human Rights Questions and Answers:

WHAT YOU SHOAULD KNOW ABOUT CULTURAL RIGHTS

Cultural Rights are usually spoken of together with economic and social rights.There is a special United Nations Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights which was entered into force on January 3,1976. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has signed and ratified that Convention and is party to it. At Carnival time when our Cultural Life is at its peak, it is an appropriate time for us to look at Cultural Rights.

Article 15 of the Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of the U.N. says that parties to that Convention must recognize the right of everyone to take part in cultural life, and that to achieve the full realization of that right, it is necessary to develop and diffuse cultural life in all countries.

In Saint Vincent and the Grenadine there are many talented people in the field of culture – musicians, dramatists, singers, calyposnians, writers, poets, dances and so on. But, they all have to struggle to get recognition, because of the low level of appreciation that is given to their work. True, at Carnival time, the Cultural Tide is high and some of our artists are in the limelight. But that is only for one week in the year.

When the Carnival ends, we mostly forget our artists and we do not, on a long term basis, give them the type of recognition and encouragement that artists need from the general public, to carry on their work. Further, if we are to develop culturally, and if our cultural rights are to be meaningful, we need proper facilities for the performance of the arts. In this regard, the proposed Centre for the Performing Arts is long overdue. The best of artists cannot give to class performances if they have to perform in makeshift buildings, with bad acoustics and second – rate facilities. The Memorial Hall has been the buinding where most of our cultural presentations have been staged over the years. But, as we all know, it is too small and it was never really intended to be a cultural center. Naturally, people involved in Culture and the Arts, and Vincentians in general, look forward to the promised Centre for the Performing Arts.

As an Independent State, we should also do more to promote cultural exchanges between ourselves and other countries. This would do a lot to foment closer relations between peoples, give more exposure to our artists, and help the development of our culture, in general.

One last point, our culture will not be enhanced, if some of some of us do not respect the rights of other to hears, see, and understand what is being offered to us at Cultural Shows, including Carnival Shows. To respect this basic right of others, is in itself, one aspect in promotion of human rights. In doing so, we enhance our own humanity, and our cultural standards as a nation.

NOTE:

ARTICLE 15 of the International Bill of Human Rights 1. The State Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right to everyone. (a) To take part in cultural life; (b) To enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications; (c) To benefit from the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which is he is the author. 2. The steps to be take by the States Parties to the present Covenant to achieve full realization of this right shall include those necessary for the conserva- tion, the development and the diffusion of science and culture. 3. The State Parties to the present Covenant recognized the benefits to be derived from the encouragement and development of international contacts and co-operation in the scientific and cultural fields.