SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights
[HRC resolution 28/9]
Appointment of a special procedures mandate holder to be made
at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council (14 September - 2 October 2015)
How to apply:
The entire application process consists of two parts: 1. online survey and 2.
application form in Word format. Both parts and all sections of the application
form need to be completed before the deadline for the application to be processed.
First part: Online survey (http://icts-surveys.unog.ch/index.php/934635/lang-en)
is used to collect information for statistical purposes such as personal data (i.e.
name, gender, nationality), contact details, mandate applying for and nominating
entity.
Second part: Application form in Word can be downloaded from
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/HRC30.aspx, completed and saved in
Word format and then submitted as an attachment by email. Information provided in
this form includes a motivation letter of maximum 600 words. The application form
should be completed in English only. It will be used as received to prepare the public
list of candidates who applied for each vacancy and will be made available to
concerned parties, including through the OHCHR public website.
Once fully completed (including Section VII), the application form in Word should be
submitted to hrcspecialprocedures@ohchr.org (by email). A maximum of three
reference letters can be attached in Word or pdf format to the email (optional). No
additional documents such as CVs or lists of publications will be accepted.

Application deadline: 18 June 2015 (12.00 noon GMT)

No incomplete or late applications will be accepted.

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed at a later stage.
General description of the selection process is available at
http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/SP/Pages/Nominations.aspx
In case of technical difficulties, or if encountering problems with accessing or
completing the forms, the Secretariat may be contacted by email at
hrcspecialprocedures@ohchr.org or fax at + 41 22 917 9011.
An acknowledgment email will be sent when we receive both parts of the
application process, i.e. the data submitted through the online survey and
the Word application form by email.
Thank you for your interest in the work of the Human Rights Council.
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SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights
[HRC resolution 28/9]
Appointment of a special procedures mandate holder to be made
at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council (14 September - 2 October 2015)
I. PERSONAL DATA
1. Family name: XANTHAKI
5. Sex:
Male
Female
2. First name: ALEXANDRA
6. Year of birth: 10-Jul-70
3. Maiden name (if any):
7. Place of birth: ATHENS, GREECE
4. Middle name:
8. Nationality (please indicate the
nationality that will appear on the
public list of candidates): GREEK
9. Any other nationality: NO
II. MANDATE - SPECIFIC COMPETENCE / QUALIFICATIONS / KNOWLEDGE
NOTE: Please describe why the candidate’s competence / qualifications /
knowledge is relevant in relation to the specific mandate:
1. QUALIFICATIONS (200 words)
Relevant educational qualifications or equivalent professional experience in
the field of human rights; good communication skills (i.e. orally and in
writing) in one of the six official languages of the United Nations (i.e. Arabic,
Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish.)
I have trained in law, and have specialised in human rights law and mechanisms. For
the last twenty years, I publish on best practices and obstacles in cultural rights, I
assess proposals and recommendations and evaluate national and international
measures to promote and protect cultural rights. After completing a law degree in
Athens Law Faculty and qualifying as a lawyer, I completed a Masters (LLM) in
‘Human Rights and Emergency Law’ at Queen’s University, Belfast. Then, I did a PhD
in Keele University, UK, on ‘the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the United Nations,
Self-determination, Culture and Land’ under the supervision of Patrick Thornberry,
the current UK member of CERD. The PhD discussed in detail collective aspects of
cultural rights. Since then, I have focussed on cultural rights in general. I am
currently a Reader/ Associate Professor at Brunel University, UK, where I have been
teaching in English international human rights; issues relating to cultural diversity;
and multiculturalism and the law. I am the Director of the Human Rights Centre at
Brunel, which has been very active on cultural heritage and rights. I recently joined
the Faculty at Oxford University teaching hr. I am a fellow at the Institute of
2|Page
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights
[HRC resolution 28/9]
Appointment of a special procedures mandate holder to be made
at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council (14 September - 2 October 2015)
Advanced Legal Studies, University of London. I can read and write in French,
although my oral skills are somewhat rusty.
2. RELEVANT EXPERTISE (200 words)
Knowledge of international human rights instruments, norms and principles.
(Please state how this was acquired.)
Knowledge of institutional mandates related to the United Nations or other
international or regional organizations’ work in the area of human rights.
(Please state how this was acquired.)
Proven work experience in the field of human rights. (Please state years of
experience.)
I am a leading authority on cultural rights in international law. In my academic career,
which spans through 18 years, I have published more than 40 pieces on human rights,
many of which on cultural rights. I have published well-known pieces on
multiculturalism and human rights; on the possible conflicts between human rights
and cultural rights; on cultural heritage; on customary legal systems; and on
indigenous cultural rights, on indigenous women and their cultures. I am currently
working on a monograph on exactly the topic of this mandate, namely 'Cultural
Rights in International Law', for the very prestigious publisher Cambridge University
Press. Only last year, I gave papers on current challenges related to cultural rights,
including on the recent interpretations of 'the right to participate in the culture' by the
UN monitoring bodies; on their interlink and discrepancies with UNESCO documents,
esp. the (2003) and the (2005) UNESCO Conventions; on multiculturalism and its
challenges. I have participated in various UN woking groups since the mid-90s with
NGOs and have advised on procedures, mandates & strategies. I have on-going
engagement with NGOs and governments, which have given me practical experience
in UN matters. My work on cultural rights has been cited in two UN documents (UN
Doc A/HRC/21/53 (2012) and A/HRC/24/50 (2013)).
3. ESTABLISHED COMPETENCE (200 words)
Nationally, regionally or internationally recognized competence related to
human rights. (Please explain how such competence was acquired.)
I have considerable commitment to the idea of the universality of human rights; I
support recognition of particularities but without lowering human rights standards. My
work has focussed extensively on non-discrimination in the field of cultural rights and
I have participated in the Forum on Minority Issues, EMRIP and the former working
groups on indigenous peoples. I have consulted the ILO (2007), the SR on Indigenous
Issues (2001, 2004), EMRIP (2012 and 2015). I have delivered invited presentations
in the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Rovaniemi, Italy, China and Belgium. I have trained
minority and indigenous activists, civil servants, lawyers, judges, drafters and
activists. in 2012, I organised with the UN a conference on indigenous languages and
cultures (Brunel, 2012) and recently I participated in a UN conference on indigenous
3|Page
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights
[HRC resolution 28/9]
Appointment of a special procedures mandate holder to be made
at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council (14 September - 2 October 2015)
cultural heritage with considerable NGO input (Rovaniemi, 2015). All the above
guarantee a practical and pragmatic insight into the implementation of cultural rights
and the current challenges.
4. FLEXIBILITY/READINESS AND AVAILABILITY OF TIME (200 words)
to perform effectively the functions of the mandate and to respond to its
requirements, including participating in Human Rights Council sessions in
Geneva and General Assembly sessions in New York, travelling on special
procedures visits, drafting reports and engaging with a variety of
stakeholders. (Indicate whether candidate can dedicate an estimated total
of approx. three months per year to the work of a mandate.)
In addition to the thematic studies, I am particularly interested to engage with
various stakeholders in specific field studies. I have ability to apply hr standards in
real situations and find effective measures. I am approachable and have focus,
energy and sensitivity, both to the issues and to the human rights defenders. I have
always been careful to resist being influenced by powerful bodies. My academic work
has equipped me with the knowledge and methodologies in assessing the human
rights compatability of policies, legislation and practices. The role of the SR would be
fully compatible with my work, as deepening my involvement in cultural rights would
be to my university's benefit. I teach around 100 hours per year and have to be at
the university for other tasks, but I have some flexibility concerning the time these
tasks will be performed. I have already been participating in various international
meetings on human rights, including United Nations fora, so I do not envisage any
problem with performing my role if my application is successful. In addition, I will
draw in the Human Rights Centre at Brunel university and the considerable interdisciplinary expertise we have in the university on cultural heritage and human rights.
We would try to organise expert meetings and try for external funding.
4|Page
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights
[HRC resolution 28/9]
Appointment of a special procedures mandate holder to be made
at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council (14 September - 2 October 2015)
III. MOTIVATION LETTER (600 word limit)
My main motivation for applying for this role is my deep conviction that the UN SR
has a key position in improving cultural rights around the world and in clarifying the
content and challenges of such rights. Cultural rights are often called the ‘Cinderella
of Human Rights’. They have recently been the focus of renewed interest and
attention, but the need to go more in depth is tangible. For example although the
standards of cultural rights have been discussed before, their content has been
expanded in the last few years through their detailed elaboration in the UNDRIP, the
work of the UN monitoring bodies and the work of the UNESCO in the field of culture.
I believe there is a need to clarify the current standards in a way that ensures
coherence in their interpretation and application. This is particularly important in the
interlink of the work of UNESCO and the UN. Beyond the normative level, it is
imperative that recent challenges are addressed: effective measures to limit manmade distruction to cultural heritage, measures to allow access to cultural artfacts
and measures to protect intangible heritage have to be more effective. At the same
time, the high levels of migration and the effects of cultural diversity bring new
opportunities but also challenges; whereas cultural development also needs better
implementation, especially in developing countries and post-conflict transitional
societies. Finally, reoccuring tensions between artistic expression, including new
forms, and other rights or interests have yet to be resolved. The importance of
culture for the identity of individuals and groups leaves no space for continuing the
neglect of cultural rights.
My application derives from my confidence that I can contribute to the advancement
of cultural rights, both at the normative and the practical level. I have been
researching this topic for a long time, have been participating in conferences and
exploring solutions to problems in fora and advisory meetings. After years of
publications, I am currently writing a monograph on this issue, so my knowledge is
deep and up-todate. I have a clear understanding of the standards, the mechanisms,
the challenges and a clear vision for coherence of cultural rights at the international
level and realisation of cultural rights at the domestic level. For most of my career, I
have been involved in drafting, revising and commenting on legislative and other
measures relating to human rights. I have experience in giving keynote speeches,
and bring with me a wealth of relationships with different stakeholders, institutions
and organisations with different emphases. In addition, I bring a deep understanding
of the multiple layers that exist in cultural rights issues, the multiplicity of actors and
interests; and the deep sensitivities that are involved. Being firm but also sensitive is
an ability that this role demands. More than maybe other rights, the neglect or
violations of cultural rights affects individuals and communities at a deep level,
impacting on their identity and their development. My energy, passion and motivation
ensure that I would be an active and visible SR. Also, my knowledge of the other
5|Page
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights
[HRC resolution 28/9]
Appointment of a special procedures mandate holder to be made
at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council (14 September - 2 October 2015)
mandates in the UN and other regional and international actors in cultural rights
guarantee my co-operation with them for more effectiveness.
In concluding, it would give me enormous satisfaction if my skills and expertise were
used to promote cultural rights in the UN; and this opening is a fantastic such
opportunity.
6|Page
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights
[HRC resolution 28/9]
Appointment of a special procedures mandate holder to be made
at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council (14 September - 2 October 2015)
IV. LANGUAGES (READ / WRITTEN / SPOKEN)
Please indicate all language skills:
Mother tongue: GREEK
Arabic: Yes or no: NO
If yes,
Read: Easily or Not easily:
Write: Easily or Not easily:
Speak: Easily or Not easily:
Chinese: Yes or no: NO
If yes,
Read: Easily or not easily:
Write: Easily or not easily:
Speak: Easily or not easily:
English: Yes or no: YES
If yes,
Read: Easily or not easily: EASILY
Write: Easily or not easily: EASILY
Speak: Easily or not easily: EASILY
French: Yes or no: YES
If yes,
Read: Easily or not easily: EASILY
Write: Easily or not easily: EASILY
Speak: Easily or not easily: NOT EASILY
Russian: Yes or no: NO
If yes,
Read: Easily or not easily:
Write: Easily or not easily:
Speak: Easily or not easily:
Spanish: Yes or no: NO
If yes,
Read: Easily or not easily:
Write: Easily or not easily:
Speak: Easily or not easily:
7|Page
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights
[HRC resolution 28/9]
Appointment of a special procedures mandate holder to be made
at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council (14 September - 2 October 2015)
V. EDUCATIONAL RECORD
NOTE: Please list the candidate’s academic qualifications (university level
and higher).
Name of degree and name of academic
institution:
Years of
attendance
(provide a
range from-to,
for example
1999-2003):
Place and
country:
Ptychion (LLB) in Law- Athens Law Faculty
1988-1994
Athens, Greece
LLM in Human Rights and Emergency LawQueens, Belfast
1994-1995
Belfast, Northern
Ireland, UK
PhD in International Human Rights , Keele
university
1996-2001
Keele university,
UK
8|Page
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights
[HRC resolution 28/9]
Appointment of a special procedures mandate holder to be made
at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council (14 September - 2 October 2015)
VI. EMPLOYMENT RECORD
NOTE: Please briefly list ALL RELEVANT professional positions held,
beginning with the most recent one.
Name of employer,
functional title,
main functions of position:
Years of work
(provide a
range from-to,
for example
1999-2005):
Place and
country:
Brunel University, Reader in Law,
also Director of Human Rights Centre
2010- 2015
2013-15
also Oxford University, Centre for Continuing
Education, member of the Faculty of the Oxford/
George Washington Human RIghts Summer
School
2014-
London, UK
Brunel University, Senior Lecturer
Brunel University, Lecturer,
2007-2010
2004-2007
London, UK
Liverpool University, Lecturer
2001-2004
Liverpool, UK
9|Page
London, United
Kingdom
SECOND PART: APPLICATION FORM IN WORD
Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights
[HRC resolution 28/9]
Appointment of a special procedures mandate holder to be made
at the 30th session of the Human Rights Council (14 September - 2 October 2015)
VII. COMPLIANCE WITH ETHICS AND INTEGRITY PROVISIONS
(of Human Rights Council resolution 5/1)
1. To your knowledge, does the candidate have any official, professional,
personal, or financial relationships that might cause him/her to limit the
extent of their inquiries, to limit disclosure, or to weaken or slant findings in
any way? If yes, please explain.
NO
2. Are there any factors that could either directly or indirectly influence,
pressure, threaten, or otherwise affect the candidate’s ability to act
independently in discharging his/her mandate? If yes, please explain:
NO
3. Is there any reason, currently or in that past, that could call into question
the candidate’s moral authority and credibility or does the candidate hold
any views or opinions that could prejudice the manner in which she/he
discharges his mandate? If yes, please explain:
NO
4. Does the candidate comply with the provisions in paragraph 44 and 46 of
the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1?
Para. 44: The principle of non-accumulation of human rights functions
at a time shall be respected.
Para. 46: Individuals holding decision-making positions in Government
or in any other organization or entity which may give rise to a conflict
of interest with the responsibilities inherent to the mandate shall be
excluded. Mandate holders will act in their personal capacity.
YES
5. Should the candidate be appointed as a mandate holder, he/she will have
to take measures to comply with paragraphs 44 and 46 of the annex to
Council resolution 5/1. In the event that the current occupation or activity,
even if unpaid, of the candidate may give rise to a conflict of interest (e.g. if
a candidate holds a decision-making position in Government) and/or there is
an accumulation of human rights functions (e.g. as a member of another
human rights mechanism at the international, regional or national level),
necessary measures could include relinquishing positions, occupations or
activities. If applicable, please indicate the measures the candidate will take.
NO
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