Protection of cultural diversity as an ethical and moral imperative for politics of human rights standards and human security : legal and axiological issues

Abstract

PURPOSE: The theory of human rights implies a number of interesting themes, with cultural issues such as individualism or relativism coming to the foreground. Furthermore, anthropological reflection, which focuses on the human being and their condition in the world, as well as their identity, plays a crucial role in this respect.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: In this article, we take note that the protection of religious identity, centuries-old traditions, and ethnic groups is an ethical and moral imperative for human rights standards based on the principles of universality and equality.

FINDINGS: Today we are witnessing brutal attacks on cultural heritage. Ultimately, such forms of aggression can lead to an irreversible loss of cultural diversity. The implementation of human rights standards in these sphere is can lead a respect for such rights.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The main purpose of this paper is to point to the pressing need for education for human rights and for the implementation of human rights standards which would strongly highlight the connection between culture and human dignity, respect for otherness, openness, and dialogue.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The publication systematizes the most important issues of human rights standards in building a cultural identity in a peaceful manner. Those initiatives aim at bolstering cultural heritage as an enabler of sustainable development in the spirit of respect for the rights vested in human beings. Ultimately, by attacking cultural heritage one violates cultural identity, human rights and freedoms, and safety.