Global bodies silent as cultural heritage comes under attack
By Abdolmehdi Hemmatpour
PhD in archaeology & Iranian studies scholar
The protection of tangible and intangible heritage is a shared commitment to the historical memory and civilizational identity of humanity. Safeguarding cultural heritage is a global concern, as historical artifacts belong not only to one society but to the world. Damage to cultural heritage in countries affects the broader narrative of human civilization. This is a warning to protect what is called historical and cultural heritage.
Iran’s historical and cultural sites are part of the shared heritage of humanity. Therefore, harming them is a crime against global heritage and a clear violation of international cultural law. The damage to Iran’s heritage is catastrophic, and the silence of cultural international organizations on this issue is troubling. When structures that embody centuries of history, art, and indigenous knowledge are threatened, a part of a nation’s cultural memory and humanity’s shared heritage is at risk.
Iran boasts a history of several thousand years and is home to a unique collection of monuments from various civilizational periods. The significance of these artifacts is such that many are cited in historical and archaeological studies as benchmarks for comparison with similar examples worldwide. Thus, protecting these artifacts is not just a national responsibility but a global duty.
The United States and the Israeli regime have blatantly violated global obligations by ignoring the 1954 Hague Convention and international rules for the protection of cultural heritage during wartime. Their actions are condemned as crimes against humanity’s heritage. According to the 1954 Hague Convention, states must refrain from destroying each other’s historical sites during military conflicts. Iran is a signatory to this convention and has adhered to its commitments. Unfortunately, the opposing side has shown indifference to such obligations and has violated recognized principles of cultural heritage protection.
Under the 1972 Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, approximately 200 member states are committed to responding to threats and destruction of world heritage. The global community, and international bodies must not remain silent in the face of such actions. The responsibility for preserving cultural heritage is a transnational and ethical obligation, and indifference is tantamount to complicity in erasing history and weakening humanity’s civilizational heritage.
The global community must explain how such valuable artifacts can be targeted during military conflicts without an effective response from responsible institutions. The global community must adopt a unified and decisive stance with moral and legal accountability against this cultural crime.
Scholars, archaeologists, cultural heritage specialists, and international institutions are coming together to protect these invaluable human assets through scientific and cultural collaboration. NGOs, specialized associations, and cultural heritage activists have issued statements and filed legal complaints, both domestically and internationally, to denounce these anti-cultural actions so that this blatant assault on humanity’s heritage does not go unanswered.
UNESCO, ICOMOS, and ICOM were established to safeguard the world’s cultural and historical heritage. If these organizations fail to respond effectively during critical times, their very existence and founding philosophy will face serious scrutiny.
Listing sites as World Heritage creates a dual obligation for governments and international organizations. In such circumstances, existing legal and supervisory mechanisms must be strengthened to prevent the recurrence of such assaults and ensure effective protection of global cultural heritage.
Targeting cultural and historical centers inflicts not only material damage but also a profound blow to the symbolic, identity, and human assets of communities. This action is in clear contradiction to human principles and accepted international norms and must be condemned. Given the current conditions, there is a possibility that attacks and destruction will continue. Therefore, alongside legal pursuits, creating a media campaign at the global level is crucial.
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