STATEMENT
TO: Ms Jyoti Hosagrahar,
On behalf of Artsakh Culture and Tourism Development Agency, we wish to express our profound indignation and concern regarding your statement, made during your visit to Yerevan, that you were unaware of cases of destruction of Armenian churches in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).
Such a statement raises serious questions. This is not a matter of isolated or insignificant incidents, but of the fate of cultural and religious heritage that holds exceptional significance for the Armenian people and is of value to humanity as a whole. Reports of the destruction, damage, and alteration of the identity of Armenian monuments in Artsakh have been emerging for an extended period from researchers, civil society organizations, and other concerned parties. Documentary evidence, photographs, and satellite imagery are also available and warrant professional examination and independent assessment.
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In these circumstances, your stated lack of awareness raises an entirely legitimate question: How can a senior official of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, an institution entrusted with the protection of world heritage, remain unaware of the fate of monuments at risk of destruction and the erasure of their historical identity?
UNESCO was established to promote the preservation of cultural heritage and strengthen international cooperation in this field. The protection of heritage must not be dictated by political considerations, nor should it be limited to sites over which international consensus has been reached or to those that can be accessed without obstruction.
The lack of direct access to monuments, or the inability to independently verify specific reports, does not absolve international organizations of their responsibility to examine available evidence, seek information from relevant parties, and advocate for independent monitoring.
In light of the above, we request that you:
- Clarify what information the UNESCO World Heritage Centre possesses regarding the condition of Armenian cultural and religious heritage in Artsakh.
- Confirm whether the evidence presented by various organizations and researchers concerning the destruction, damage, or alteration of the identity of Armenian churches and other monuments in Artsakh has been examined.
- Explain what specific measures the World Heritage Centre is taking, or intends to take, to independently monitor the condition of these sites and prevent further loss.
- Clarify whether UNESCO intends to seek access for international experts to conduct independent assessments of the monuments.
- Explain how the World Heritage Centre ensures an impartial approach to cultural heritage protection in circumstances where access to sites is restricted and serious concerns have been raised about their condition.
We believe that the protection of cultural heritage requires more than declarations of commitment to universal values. It demands consistent, transparent, and verifiable action. A lack of awareness, silence, or inaction on the part of international institutions when cultural heritage is at risk undermines public confidence in international mechanisms for its protection.
The Armenian churches and monasteries of Artsakh are not merely witnesses to the centuries-old history of the Armenian people. They form part of the cultural heritage of humanity, whose preservation falls within UNESCO’s mandate and carries particular international responsibility.
We expect a substantive written response to the questions raised above, together with specific information on the further actions the UNESCO World Heritage Centre intends to take.
Artsakh Culture and Tourism Development Agency