Hamazkayin urges UNESCO to save the cultural monuments of Artsakh

The following open letter was sent by the Central Executive of the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society to UNESCO Director General Audry Azoulay on October 2, 2023. The letter asks for UNESCO’s “immediate intervention” to protect Armenian heritage, cultural history, artifacts and monuments in Artsakh. The full text of the letter appears below. Dear Ms. Azoulay, We, the Central Executive Board of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society are writing to you on behalf of our several thousand members and followers; the faculty and students of our educational institutions; our art groups; music and folk dance ensembles; publishing houses, as well as our numerous chapters across the globe. Our international organization was established 95 years ago in the Armenian diaspora, to perpetuate the Armenian cultural, literary and artistic heritage for the consecutive generations of survivors of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. You can find further information on our organization’s website at https://hamazkayin.com/en/. We hereby seek the immediate intervention of UNESCO in protection of the cultural and religious sites and monuments; ancient artifacts and other evidence of Armenian heritage in Artsakh (also known as Nagorno Karabakh). Furthermore, we call upon UNESCO to hold Azerbaijan – a signatory to the World Heritage Convention – accountable to the fullest level, for the perpetration of the cultural and human Genocide of Armenians in Artsakh. Currently, the danger is imminent and immediate action by UNESCO is desperately needed. Many of the Armenian churches, monuments, monasteries and other historical sites dating back to the 2nd century A.D. have already been deliberately and systematically desecrated and/or destroyed in Artsakh by Azerbaijan. Still more are under imminent threat of being permanently damaged as was the case starting September 27, 2020 when Azerbaijan, aided by Turkey, invaded Artsakh. The situation has deteriorated further after September 19, 2023, when Azerbaijan launched its final assault for annihilation of the Armenian population on their ancestral lands. UNESCO is undoubtedly aware of the ethnic cleansing committed by the government of Azerbaijan against the indigenous Armenians of Artsakh, which is manifested in not only the brutal killing and torture of thousands of civilians and forced deportation of the local population, but also the systematic erasure of evidence of the Armenian presence in their ancestral land. Unfortunately, this anti humanitarian action is ongoing. Endangered are, to name a few: Ghazanchetsots cathedral; Gandzasar, Dadivank, Amaras, Tzitzernavank monasteries; Askeran and Tigranakert fortresses, numerous khatchkars (carved cross stones); ancient lapidary inscriptions, fresco arts; manuscripts; carpets and rugs, and other expressions of Armenian arts, literature and crafts. At the moment, all of the above are in alarming danger. Notably, such historical creations hold importance for the world culture, certainly not solely for the Armenians. Following its genocidal nine months of total blockade imposed on Artsakh’s population: military attacks of the peaceful civilian population and the ongoing forced deportation of the people of Artsakh, Azerbaijan continues its atrocities by desecrating Armenian cemeteries (early Christian era), vandalizing national monuments and destroying all evidence of Armenian cultural, historical and religious creations. Moreover, of a particular concern is the fact that Azerbaijan has prohibited the transfer to Armenia [of] the Armenian cultural and historical collections from the museums in Artsakh. Please note that Azerbaijan has previously destroyed ancient Armenian monuments, including the medieval cross-stones of Julfa; the Saint Thomas cathedral of Agulis, one of the oldest churches in the world, among others. These actions have been amply documented. As a signatory to the World Heritage Convention, Azerbaijan has a legal responsibility to protect and conserve within its boundaries the world’s cultural heritage. We appeal to UNESCO to hold Azerbaijan responsible and accountable for blatantly ignoring its commitment and for perpetrating a cultural genocide, disregarding the World Heritage Convention. Remaining indifferent vis-a-vis the erasure of the cultural heritage of the indigenous Armenians of Artsakh puts the safety of humanity’s collective culture at risk. Inaction permits Azerbaijan to continue its destructive behavior, as it has been demonstrated and continues even at this writing. We urge UNESCO to act in accordance with its mission, to protect and safeguard a part of [the] world’s cultural heritage. We will be glad to provide additional information, should you require any. We have shared this appeal with certain media outlets around the world to inform the public and ascertain support. Thanking you and your esteemed organization in advance, Central Executive Board Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society

Hamazkayin urges UNESCO to save the cultural monuments of Artsakh

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