A/HRC/10/60 page 14 IV. CONCLUSIONS 44. The wide variety of different approaches contained in the responses received only allowed to draw some very general conclusions. Fifteen out of the seventeen responses received supported the establishment of an independent expert in the field of cultural rights and cultural diversity. Two contributions considered that there was no need for a new special procedures mandate in this area. Submissions that favoured the establishment of an independent expert mechanism generally shared the opinion that it would enhance the understanding and protection of cultural rights, as well as help bridge a protection gap suffered by cultural rights. Those opposing the creation of a new mandate argued that existing norms and mechanisms within the United Nations system adequately addressed cultural rights or that cultural rights should be further mainstreamed and strengthened within existing human rights mechanisms. 45. Several submissions shared the view that the mandate of an independent expert should include the capacity to assist in the implementation of cultural rights, by reviewing or assessing legislation, projects, policies and other measures taken to realize these rights. Some submissions suggested that an independent expert mechanism should be enabled to conduct studies about existing measures adopted to promote and protect cultural rights, respect for cultural diversity and the preservation of cultural heritage. 46. Some contributions noted that the mandate of an independent expert mechanism should also focus on the enjoyment of cultural rights by indigenous groups and ethnic, religious and national minorities, as well as by women and persons with disabilities. 47. The international dimensions of cultural rights were also raised by several contributors as meriting attention, including international respect for cultural diversity, cooperation in the area of access to new information and communication technologies and the repatriation of cultural heritage. Others, however, emphasized that a new mandate on cultural rights should not be an excuse to weaken human rights obligations in the name of cultural diversity. Some responses noted the relations between culture, development, growth and employment to be addressed by an independent expert. 48. Several submissions emphasized that an independent expert should coordinate closely and cooperate with UNESCO, other relevant international organizations and bodies, treaty bodies, special procedures mandates, non-governmental organizations, civil society groups and institutions working in the field of cultural rights and cultural diversity. Others, however, felt that an independent expert would duplicate existing activities and mandates in the field of cultural rights. 49. Other more specific issues were also raised in various submissions. In some cases, some of the issues were only raised in some of the submissions, and in other cases opposing viewpoints were expressed on the same issue. For example, whilst some submissions underscored that an independent expert should explore different dimensions of cultural diversity, one of the replies clearly opposed the inclusion of cultural diversity in such a mandate. -----