De hårde kampe i Yemen på sydspidsen af Den arabiske Halvø bringer UNESCO i alarm – sporene skræmmer efter Islamisk Stats omfattende ødelæggelser af antikke assyriske kulturminder i det nordlige Irak.
PARIS, 27 March 2015 (UN News Service): The escalation of armed conflict in Yemen threatens the country’s cultural heritage, warned the head of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the world body’s agency responsible for protecting cultural property.
UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova urged all parties involved in military operations to preserve the Yemeni cultural heritage, such as the old city of Sana’a.
“Experience shows that cultural heritage is never more vulnerable than during times of conflict. It is crucial that all parties refrain from targeting, by shelling or by air strikes, or using for military purposes cultural heritage sites and buildings,” Ms. Bokova called.
She emphasized the originality and importance of Yemen’s cultural sites:
“The heritage of Yemen is unique, reflecting centuries of Islamic thought, rich exchange and dialogue. I call on the people of Yemen, as well as on countries in the region engaging in military operations in Yemen, to do all they can to protect Yemen’s invaluable cultural heritage.”
The Director-General recalled the obligations under international humanitarian law to protect cultural heritage.
Especially the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. In February, she also condemned the destruction of statues at Mosul Museum, in Iraq, by terrorists.
Vide mere om Yemens kuturarv?
Gå ned til afsnittet om World Heritage Sites på
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemen
Se også om et andet UNESCO-initiativ på
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=50452#.VRgtr2Vqr4s
Og telegrammet
http://www.u-landsnyt.dk/nyhed/23-03-15/fn-ekspert-i-alarm-yemen-kan-blive-som-libyen-og-s
