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UNESCO Condemns Destruction of Nimrud
4/14/15
The United Nations agency mandated with protecting heritage sites worldwide today denounced further destruction at the archaeological site of Nimrud in Iraq, calling the deliberate damage of culture a “war crime” and pledging to do everything possible to fight it.
“I condemn this mad, destructive act that accentuates the horror of the situation. It confirms that the terrorists are not only destroying representations of figures and bas-reliefs,” said the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, in a in a statement to the press.
“With their hammers and explosives they are also obliterating the site itself, clearly determined to wipe out all traces of the history of Iraq’s people,” she added, expressing her solidarity with the people of Iraq.
The Director-General recalled UNESCO’s action to protect heritage and coordinate the efforts of the international community in the struggle against illicit traffic of cultural goods.
“We will do everything possible to fight against this and document it, to ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice,” Ms. Bokova said. “The deliberate destruction of heritage is a war crime.”
UNESCO denounced the attack against Nimrud on 6 March. Last weekend’s video shows the total destruction of the north-west part of the Palace of Ashurnasirpal II, along with stone sculptures from the neo-Assyrian era.
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4/14/15
The United Nations agency mandated with protecting heritage sites worldwide today denounced further destruction at the archaeological site of Nimrud in Iraq, calling the deliberate damage of culture a “war crime” and pledging to do everything possible to fight it.
“I condemn this mad, destructive act that accentuates the horror of the situation. It confirms that the terrorists are not only destroying representations of figures and bas-reliefs,” said the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, in a in a statement to the press.
“With their hammers and explosives they are also obliterating the site itself, clearly determined to wipe out all traces of the history of Iraq’s people,” she added, expressing her solidarity with the people of Iraq.
The Director-General recalled UNESCO’s action to protect heritage and coordinate the efforts of the international community in the struggle against illicit traffic of cultural goods.
“We will do everything possible to fight against this and document it, to ensure that those responsible are identified and brought to justice,” Ms. Bokova said. “The deliberate destruction of heritage is a war crime.”
UNESCO denounced the attack against Nimrud on 6 March. Last weekend’s video shows the total destruction of the north-west part of the Palace of Ashurnasirpal II, along with stone sculptures from the neo-Assyrian era.
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
