To: Lazare Eloundou Assomo
UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Director
Dear Mr. Eloundou Assomo,
We wish to draw your attention to a serious and urgent issue concerning the preservation of Armenian cultural and religious heritage in the region of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).
Following the events of September 2023, when the entire population of the region was forcibly displaced, the authorities of Azerbaijan have been implementing a policy aimed at the complete eradication of the Armenian presence. As a result, dozens of churches, shrines, cemeteries, and other historical and architectural monuments, many of which date back centuries, have been wholly or partially destroyed, demolished, or altered.
According to recently published and credible reports, Saint Hakob Church of Stepanakert, and the region’s principal shrine Holy Mother of God Cathedral (Surb Hovhanu Mayr Tachar), have been completely destroyed.
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These monuments are an inseparable part of the cultural and religious identity of the region’s indigenous population—the Armenian people—and an important element of humanity’s shared cultural heritage. Their deliberate damage or destruction is contrary to international legal obligations regarding the protection of cultural heritage, including the provisions of relevant international conventions.
In light of the above, we respectfully request that UNESCO:
· Assess the current situation and initiate an independent international fact-finding mission in Nagorno-Karabakh to document actions taken against cultural heritage;
· Apply the relevant international mechanisms to ensure the protection and preservation of endangered cultural and religious monuments;
· Consider implementing preventive and monitoring measures to prevent the recurrence of such acts.
The destruction of cultural heritage constitutes a grave violation of universal human values and endangers the preservation of the historical memory of peoples.
We look forward to your immediate response and meaningful action.
Respectfully,
Initiative Group of the
“Amaras” Center
