UN Special Rapporteur for Cultural Rights, Karima Bennoune, stressed that the protection of cultural heritage “is not a luxury item.”
Bennoune was addressing an open discussion at the University of Cyprus on Monday entitled ‘using international law to defend the right of everyone to take part to cultural life.’
Cyprus’ Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Alexandros Zenon praised Bennoune, noting that she had an “active role in supporting the initiative to promote a cross regional statement on the destruction of cultural heritage at the UN’s Human Rights Council.”
Zenon added: “Her participation in the panel discussion was instrumental in gaining further support and visibility for the statement which was adopted with the votes of 146 countries,” noting that the statement had been approved by Cyprus among other countries.
Referring to the Hague Convention and its second protocol Zenon said he was personally involved in drafting the latter, expressing his disappointment that only a limited number of ratifications have taken place thus far.
“One can rightly claim that the detrimental impact on human rights by the destruction of cultural heritage has largely been overlooked,” he said.
University of Cyprus Rector Constantinos Christofides added that the matter of cultural heritage is largely overlooked because “it is not considered to be a matter of utmost importance,” pointing out that “it is much more important than we would like to believe.”
In an era where international cultural heritage monuments are under threat of destruction, such as the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria from the so-called Islamic State, “it is important to discuss the value and protection of culture,” affirmed Christofides.
(Source: CNA)
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