21/04/2022 12:41

Commissioner: the aggressor destroys the unique buildings and symbols of Ukraine

The enemy is destroying the cultural heritage of the Ukrainian people.  The troops of the aggressor country aim at unique buildings and symbols of cities.  As a result - dozens of destroyed churches, theaters, memorials.

Yesterday, the occupiers fired on the creative Mecca of Mariupol - the Palace of Culture "Youth", located in a historic building of the 19th century.

The walls of the building were destroyed during World War II, but then the Nazis failed to destroy it, unlike the actions of the rashist occupiers.

As a result of the air strike on March 16, 2022, the Drama Theater of Mariupol, which is a monument of architecture, history and monumental art, was completely destroyed.

In both cases, civilians were hiding in the buildings, hiding from death.

The destruction and damage to Ukraine’s tangible cultural heritage is a gross violation by Russia, as a member of UNESCO, of the protocols to the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property during Military Conflict.

I appeal to the UN Commission for Investigation Human Rights Violations during Russia's military invasion of Ukraine to take into account these facts of crimes and human rights violations in Ukraine.