UNESCO calls for protection of the cultural heritage of Syria

UNESCO,
03 April 2015, Syria

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova declared that Syrians must unite for the protection of their shared cultural heritage amid a recent escalation in hostilities in Bosra and Idleb.

 

“All Syrians must unite for the protection of their shared cultural heritage," she said. “This heritage belongs to all Syrians and to all humanity. I call on all parties to refrain from using cultural heritage sites for military purposes and to protect them from any damage and destruction resulting from fighting. I call on all parties to commit to the safeguarding of the World Heritage of Bosra, as well as the Idlib, Maarrat al Numaan and Bosra Museums," Bokova said.A recent upsurge in violence and shelling in the cities of Bosra and Idleb has sparked widespread concern across the UN system for the safety of the cities’ inhabitants, as well as their historical sites, including the Idleb, Maarrat al Numaan and Bosra Museums.She expressed her satisfaction that, recently, the parties on the ground temporarily agreed to freeze combats at the World Heritage Site of Bosra.“Areas around cultural heritage sites and museums should remain protected and kept out of the conflict. The recent developments in Bosra are encouraging and commendable. We need to build on such initiatives to expand protected cultural areas,” the UNESCO Director-General added.She called for a similar initiative in Idlib, for the parties to refrain from military action that might endanger the city’s museums and sites.

“All Syrians must unite for the protection of their shared cultural heritage," she said. “This heritage belongs to all Syrians and to all humanity. I call on all parties to refrain from using cultural heritage sites for military purposes and to protect them from any damage and destruction resulting from fighting. I call on all parties to commit to the safeguarding of the World Heritage of Bosra, as well as the Idlib, Maarrat al Numaan and Bosra Museums," Bokova said.

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