Following
several reports and discussions with the Iraqi authorities, UNESCO has
confirmed the liberation of the archeological site of Hatra, located in the
Governorate of Nineveh in Iraq. The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova,
has reiterated her support to the government and people of Iraq and expressed
the readiness of UNESCO to help protect and promote Iraqi heritage as a force
for national cohesion, peace and recovery for the country.
“Violent
extremists know the power of heritage to unite, to bring people together and
provide them with pride, confidence and dignity – this is why they target and
destroy heritage. The protection of heritage has become more than a cultural
issue – it is also a security issue, and this is the spirit of the recent
resolution 2347 adopted unanimously by the UN Security Council on 24 March,
putting culture at the heart of international efforts to build peace” said
Irina Bokova. “The deliberate destruction of heritage is a war crime, and
UNESCO will do everything in its power to ensure these crimes do not go
unpunished. I call on all parties to preserve this unique heritage as an essential
condition for peace and the future of the region,” Ms. Bokova added.
A
crossroad of cultures since the dawn of humanity, Hatra represents one of
Iraq's most iconic sites. Preliminary
reports confirm that Hatra has suffered further destruction since the city was
taken in 2015. As soon as security conditions allow, UNESCO will send, in
cooperation with the Iraqi government, a rapid emergency assessment mission.
Link to original article:
http://whc.unesco.org/en/news/1658
