A/HRC/28/36
States. They stressed that the international community should explicitly condemn such
glorification and that States should instead ensure the accountability of perpetrators.
Furthermore, it was stressed that cultural diversity could not be used a means to justify
human rights violations.
48.
With regards to the conditions and recommendations for successful memorialization
processes and history teaching activities, it was observed that freedom of expression,
including freedom of the press, were regrettably not guaranteed in some countries. Many
delegations insisted on States’ obligations to respect the rights to have access to
information, to freedom of opinion and expression and to freedom of association and
assembly. States should ensure access to archives and libraries, and all social sectors should
be given the opportunity to participate freely in historical debate, including academia,
whose role was of paramount importance in leading the debate by carrying out independent
research. In this regard, some participants stressed that Governments should guarantee the
autonomy of universities and research institutes, collaborate with and promote the
participation of civil society in debates and ensure access to library funds and archival
materials of public interest, including to researchers from other States. States were
encouraged to undertake an inclusive collaborative approach with regards to history
teaching and memorialization processes, respectfully taking into consideration the
contributions of all ethnic, national, religious, linguistic and cultural identities.
49.
Some delegations recommended that human rights and peace education be
incorporated into history teaching, in accordance with the Basic Principles and Guidelines
on the Right to a Remedy and Reparations for Victims of Gross Violations of International
Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law, and
emphasized how important it was for history curricula to encompass not only the history of
the country in question but also international history. Various other delegations stressed the
responsibility of States to ensure that memorialization processes, as a form of history
teaching, were implemented in the long term. One delegation in particular encouraged all
States to publicize commemorations so as to raise awareness of historical events and their
significance. Finally, delegations underlined on several occasions that democracy and the
rule of law were the best guarantors for reconciliation.
D.
National experiences in the area of history teaching and
memorialization processes
50.
During the interactive dialogue, most delegations highlighted the importance of
convening a panel discussion to serve as a platform for sharing examples of good practices
in the area of history teaching and memorialization and processes. Statements of the
delegations that provided examples to illustrate their respective national experience are
summarized below.
51.
Ireland stated that for the decade of commemorations 2012-2022, which was
important for the country, the Government had adopted an approach to memorialization that
was based on the principles of full acknowledgement of the totality of history of the island,
the legitimacy of all traditions, mutual respect and historical accuracy. The delegation
explained that, through a reconciliation fund, Ireland was providing support to a number of
commemorative projects, some of which might challenge the notion of separate histories
and explore how shared experiences could affect contemporary societal relationships.
52.
Morocco presented some of the components of its transitional justice experience,
mentioning in particular the work undertaken by the Equity and Reconciliation
Commission. Initiatives undertaken by Morocco included the launch of the Archives
Institute of Morocco and the inventory of Moroccan public and private archives. Morocco
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