(en) Taking the increasing importance of the EU in cultural matters as a starting point, this article attempts to assess to what extent the right to participate in cultural life (as defined based on various human rights instruments) is protected under EU law. Second it discusses the impact of EU law and policies on the enjoyment of this right. It highlights that the respect, protection and promotion of the right to participate in cultural life within EU law are obstructed by the asymmetry that exists at the European level and which favors on the one hand, non-political decision-making over political processes, and, on the other hand, negative on positive integration. This asymmetry indeed weakens national cultural policies without allowing space for specific European policies for positive integration. Third, it explores avenues for a better protection of the right to participate in cultural life under EU law.
Romainville, C. (2015). The right to participate in cultural life under EU law. Journal européen des droits de l’homme, 2, 145-172. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/190700 (Original work published 2015)