Since the beginning of the crisis in Ukraine, UNESCO acted within the framework of its mandate, namely to protect culture. The agency released its latest progress report on Tuesday.
Legacy for Peace
Although the most pressing priority is protecting civilian life as Russia’s advance continues, Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, said in a statement that Cultural heritage “must be protected as a testament to the past, but also as a catalyst for peace and cohesion for the future, which the international community has a duty to protect and preserve.”
The agency is in regular contact with all relevant agencies, as well as with Ukrainian cultural experts, to assess the situation and strengthen the protection of cultural properties.
Designated to protect
“The first challenge is to mark cultural heritage and monuments, and at the same time revoke their special status as protected areas under international law.” Miss Azoulay continued.
According to the press release, the agency is contacting the Ukrainian authorities to mark cultural sites and monuments with the special “Blue Shield” emblem of the Ukrainian government. The Hague Convention of 1954 for the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflictto avoid intentional or accidental damage.
List of World Heritage Sites
Properties inscribed on the World Heritage list, such as Kyiv’s Church of Saint-Sophia and Related Monastic Buildings, and Kyiv-Pechersk Lavrais considered a priority.
The marking process began last weekend at the site of L’viv . Historic City Centerin western Ukraine, where many have fled after fighting further east.
Respect international humanitarian law
At the beginning of the conflict, the United Nations cultural agency called respect for international humanitarian law – in particular the 1954 The Hague Convention, and its two Protocols, “ensuring the prevention of damage to cultural heritage in all its forms”.
This includes obligations under Security Council Resolution 2222 on the protection of journalists, media professionals and related staff in conflict situations, to promote free, independent and fair media as one of the essential foundations of a good society. democratic societies and can contribute to the protection of civilians.
The looting and destruction of cultural heritage has been a characteristics of armed conflictUNESCO notes, is almost a history of war itself.
Damage monitoring
In partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, UNITAR, UNESCO is also analyzing satellite imagery for priority sites, threatened or already impacted, to assess damage.
© UNSPLASH / Fatmagul B.
Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, one of the Unesco World Heritage Sites in Ukraine.
“As of today, dozens of priority sites have been covered by this monitoring system, including World Heritage sites,” said Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Center. .
Furthermore, the agency contacted civil society experts, “living heritage” experts and practitioners, about the impact of the crisis on the situation of artists and organizations. cultural institution.
Support for estate custodians
UNESCO will meet on Wednesday and Thursday with Ukrainian cultural experts, including World Heritage curators and museum directors, to determine what technical or financial assistance can be provided.
To address pressing needs, UNESCO will then mobilize international partners in an emergency coordination meeting with UNITAR, the International Center for Research in the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM). , Blue Shield International, International Council of Museums (ICOM), International Council on Monuments and Places (ICOMOS) and ALIPH, among others.
