Azerbaijan Ignores UNESCO's Plea, Continues Cultural Destruction in Artsakh While International Community Remains Indifferent

The Artsakh National Assembly in exile has issued a statement condemning what it describes as Azerbaijan’s vandalistic policy, particularly targeting the rich historical and cultural heritage of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). The statement, released in response to the aftermath of the recent war, highlights the precarious state of medieval Armenian spiritual centers, education complexes, and memorials that now face the threat of Azerbaijani destruction.

The Assembly accuses Azerbaijan of pursuing genocidal plans against the Armenian people, despite public proclamations of a commitment to peace on international platforms. The vandalistic acts are deemed an attempt to erase symbols of Armenian Christian historical and cultural significance, as well as those representing the region’s liberation struggle and state-building.

Recent instances of this cultural vandalism cited in the statement include the desecration of Saint John's Cathedral of the Mother of God in Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh, and the complete destruction of key structures like the buildings housing the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh and the Union of Freedom Fighters.

The statement emphasizes that such actions violate Article 4 of the 1954 Hague Convention on values during armed conflicts, which expressly prohibits any acts of vandalism, theft, robbery, misappropriation, or hostilities against cultural heritage.

Despite calls from UNESCO urging Azerbaijan to halt the destruction and promises of a mission to investigate, no such mission has materialized due to alleged obstacles created by Azerbaijan. The international community's perceived indifference and inattention have, according to the statement, allowed the aggressor the freedom to commit cultural vandalism, potentially acting as a catalyst for new conflicts in the region.

In response to these alarming developments, the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh not only condemns the actions of the Azerbaijani authorities but also calls on human rights organizations and the Republic of Armenia authorities to present evidence of Azerbaijan's anti-cultural activities to competent international bodies and courts.

The aim is to bring international attention and resonance to the issue, holding those responsible for cultural destruction accountable on the global stage. As the world watches, the plea for safeguarding cultural heritage takes center stage in the ongoing struggle for the preservation of history and identity.