Protecting Culture and Heritage in Armed Conflicts
Top: Umayyad Mosque, Aleppo Syria/Bottom: Ablution fountains of the Umayyad Mosque, Aleppo,Syria (Photos:@UNESCO)
As extremists continue to target cultural heritage sites around the world, the United Nations is committed to finding ways to protect the diverse cultural heritage of the people of the world.
Leading the Fight
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was created in 1945, in the aftermath of World War II. According to its constitution, one of its functions is to:
Maintain, increase and diffuse knowledge: By assuring the conservation and protection of the world’s inheritance of books, works of art and monuments of history and science...(UNESCO Constitution)
In an armed conflict, heritage is particularly at risk, owing to its inherent vulnerability and tremendous symbolic value. Through the implementation of its mutually reinforcing culture conventions, UNESCO works with the international community to protect culture.
Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, 1954
Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, 1972
Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, 2005
In June 2015, in response to the increasing attacks by extremists on heritage, UNESCO launched the Global Coalition, Unite for Heritage. The Coalition works to strengthen the mobilization of governments and all heritage stakeholders in the face of deliberate damage to cultural heritage, particularly in the Middle East.
A corresponding social media campaign was also launched by UNESCO. #United4Heritage aims to celebrate and safeguard cultural heritage and diversity around the world.
Columns, World Heritage Site of Palmyra, Syria (Photo:@UNESCO)
Secretary-General
6 March 2015 - Calling Attacks ‘a War Crime’, Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Destruction of Cultural Heritage Sites in Iraq SG/SM/16570-IK/701
15 August 2015 - Secretary-General Condemns Terror Acts by Da’esh against Syrian Civilians, Heritage, Outraged by Brutal Murder of Retired Chief Archaeologist SG/SM/17031
Search for other statements and messages by the Secretary General.
Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights (website)
2010 - A/HRC/14/36
2016 - A/HRC/31/59
Al Adiliyya Mosque, Aleppo, Syria (Photos:@UNESCO)
Resolutions to Protect Culture
A/RES/69/281 - The resolution, presented jointly by Germany and Iraq, focuses on the fight against the destruction of cultural heritage and attacks against the cultural diversity in Iraq.
S/RES/2199 (2015) - Condemns the destruction of cultural heritage in Iraq and Syria particularly by ISIL and ANF. Notes that ISIL, ANF and other groups are engaging directly or indirectly in the looting and smuggling of cultural heritage items and the Security Council reaffirms their decision to prohibit the trade in Iraq and Syrian Cultural Property.
S/RES/2170 (2014) - Reiterates the Security Council's condemnation of ISIL, ANF and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida for ongoing and multiple criminal terrorist acts aimed at destruction of property and of cultural and religious sites, and greatly undermining stability.
S/RES/1483 (2003) - Stresses the need for respect for the archaeological, historical, cultural, and religious heritage of Iraq, and for the continued protection of archaeological, historical, cultural, and religious sites, museums, libraries, and monuments.
War Crime Charges
On 26 September 2015, Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi was surrendered to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of war crimes regarding the destruction of historical and religious monuments in Timbuktu, Mali. This is the first case to be brought before the ICC concerning the destruction of buildings dedicated to religion and historical monuments.
ICC-01/12-01/15 - The Prosecutor v. Ahmad Al Faqi Al Mahdi
The El Farouk monument in Timbuktu, Mali, destroyed by the extremists. (Photo:MINUSMA/Sophie Ravier)
