ICOMOS

Blue graphic with the UNESCO logo and the words “UNESCO Statement” centered on a plain background.

UNESCO Calls for Protection of Culture, Education, Media and the Environment Amid Escalating Tensions

UNESCO Calls for Protection of Culture, Education, Media and the Environment Amid Escalating Tensions   Source: UNESCO LinkedIn UNESCO has expressed serious concern over the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East and the growing risks facing education systems, cultural heritage, media professionals, scientific cooperation, and fragile environmental sites. UNESCO calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to take all necessary measures to safeguard education, culture, media, science, and the environment as essential foundations of societies. The Organization has communicated the geographical coordinates of World Heritage properties, sites on national Tentative Lists, and those under Enhanced Protection in order to help prevent damage during ongoing hostilities. UNESCO further recalls the obligations of all parties under international law, including the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1972 World Heritage Convention. It also reiterates the need to protect schools, students, education personnel, journalists, and media professionals in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.  

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Portraits of Dr. Ghassan Salamé, Minister of Culture of Lebanon, and Dr. Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of UNESCO.

Lebanon Calls on UNESCO to Protect Cultural Heritage During Armed Conflict

  Source/Credit: National News Agency Lebanon (NNA) Summary:The Lebanese Minister of Culture, Ghassan Salameh, contacted Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of UNESCO, requesting intervention to ensure the protection of Lebanon’s cultural heritage amid the current security situation. The request calls on neighboring or belligerent states to respect international conventions protecting cultural property and to refrain from targeting heritage sites, including the National Museum of Beirut, archaeological sites, and properties inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List or under enhanced protection. The Minister emphasized that safeguarding these sites is required under international frameworks, including the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. A formal letter was also sent to UNESCO reiterating Lebanon’s request.  

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Explosion and large plume of smoke visible near the Al-Bass Archaeological Site in Tyre, Lebanon, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Damage Reported at Al-Bass Archaeological Site in Tyre

Source/Credit: National News Agency Lebanon (NNA) Summary:Lebanese Minister of Culture Ghassan Salameh condemned the reported damage to parts of the Al-Bass Archaeological Site in Tyre following recent hostilities. He stated that the site, which forms part of the Tyre World Heritage Site, has no military presence and should not be targeted. The site is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and benefits from enhanced protection under the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its Second Protocol, which require the safeguarding of cultural heritage during armed conflicts.  

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