Aalst Carnival removed from the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

Bogota, 13 December—The Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity today decided to remove Aalst Carnival (Belgium) from the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Further to a proposal submitted by the Secretariat of UNESCO, the Committee based its decision on the fact that the recurrence of racist and antisemitic representations is incompatible with the fundamental principles of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, notably its Second Article, which stipulates that “consideration will be given solely to such intangible cultural heritage as is compatible with existing international human rights instruments, as well as with the requirements of mutual respect among communities, groups and individuals…”

UNESCO stands by its founding principles of dignity, equality and mutual respect among peoples and condemns all forms of racism, antisemitism and xenophobia.