GERMANY-UNESCO UNESCO vote to "stand up together" against threats to World Heritage Sites

Record ID: 148893

  • Title: GERMANY-UNESCO UNESCO vote to "stand up together" against threats to World Heritage Sites
  • Date: 29th June 2015
  • Summary: BONN, GERMANY (JUNE 29, 2015) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF OLD BUNDESTAG BUILDING WHERE SESSION IS BEING HELD FLAGS OF UNITED NATIONS, GERMANY AND EUROPE FLYING OUTSIDE BUILDING VARIOUS OF DELEGATES SEATED DURING SESSION CHAIRPERSON OF WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE AND CDU PARTY MINISTER OF STATE IN GERMANY FOREIGN OFFICER, MARIA BOEHMER, SEATED NEXT TO DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF UNESCO, IRI
  • Embargoed: 14th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA4M0DGE2O0JCDR0XONB5JE10N8
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The 39th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee on Monday (June 29) passed a Bonn declaration to protect the world's cultural heritage from destruction, especially where it is "threatened by extremists and criminals".
    Islamic State, who have in the past demolished religious and historical heritage sites on occupied territories in Iraq and Syria, urged its followers on Tuesday (June 23) to escalate attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Christians, Shi'ites and Sunni Muslims fighting alongside a U.S.-led coalition that seeks to defeat the ultra-radical group.
    The chairperson for the 39th session of the group said told delegates that "it would be an impressive thing" to work together on UNESCO's Bonn declaration, which includes the social media campaign "#UNITE4HERITAGE".
    "It would be an impressive thing if we here in today in Bonn we are to adopt the Bonn declaration of the World Heritage committee and stand up together against the threats and for the protection and preservation of world heritage sites," she said.
    UNESCO's communique on the Bonn declaration -- adopted by the session -- called on states to "increase their efforts to prevent illicit trafficking and destruction of heritage".
    "Never before in recent history have we seen such brutal and systematic destruction of cultural heritage used as a tactic of war to intimidate populations, to disseminate hatred, to destroy the very fabric of the Iraqi society. This is a war crime. As is the destruction of cultural heritage in Mali, Syria and Afghanistan," UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova added.
    The World Heritage Committee will also examine proposals to add 37 sites to the UNESCO's World Heritage List, during its 10-day meeting, which started on Sunday (June 28).
    Nominations for the list this year include five natural sites, 31 cultural sites and one mixed site, meaning both natural and cultural.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register