09/02/2022 12:39

Commissioner: the occupying country of the Russian Federation continues to grossly violate international law by destroying the cultural heritage of the indigenous population of Crimea

The occupying country of the Russian Federation continues to grossly violate international law by destroying the cultural heritage of the indigenous population of Crimea. This was announced by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Lyudmyla Denisova.

A large crack appeared on the wall of one of the buildings of the Khan's Palace in Bakhchisarai during the so-called "restoration". This monument is included in the Preliminary List for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

"Internationally recognized laws and customs of war prohibit the occupying power from appropriating and destroying cultural values and historical monuments. In particular, in violation of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, Russia is forcibly imposing its cultural policy on the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea, depriving indigenous peoples of cultural rights, identity and traditions, "said Lyudmila Denisova.

The Commissioner asked the UNESCO Secretariat to respond immediately to Russia's violation of international humanitarian law in the Crimea.