Alexandra Xanthaki was appointed UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights in October 2021. Xanthaki is Professor of Laws at Brunel University London, United Kingdom. A leading expert on cultural rights, Alexandra has published on cultural rights of minorities and indigenous peoples, cultural diversity, cultural heritage, balancing cultural rights with other rights and interests, and multicultural aspects of international human rights law.

United Nations Special Rapporteur Alexandra Xanthaki presents “The Mandate of the UNSR in the Field of Cultural Rights: Minorities and Indigenous Peoples,” guiding our cohort in the complexities and necessities involved in the protection of cultural diversity and human rights.

Alexandra asks the question: What do we mean when we say “cultural rights defenders”?

The session explores:

• position of the UNSR Cultural Rights in relation to international legal framework
• focus of the Mandate
• thematic reports
• country visits
• communications and public statements