Topic: Protecting Heritage Sites and Cultural Artifacts in Conflict Zones
As long as there has been warfare, there have been rules about what is and is not allowed during combat. One of the common themes throughout those regulations is a broad theme of protecting non-military targets. As the nature of wartime and combat have changed rapidly over the years, some of these regulations have been refined and strengthened at the international level. UNESCO set forth guidelines relating to the protection of cultural property in armed conflict in 1954 (and a second protocol in 1999). These helped protect cultural property in conflict zones, as well as lead to war crimes prosecution for individuals found guilty of the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage.
The role of the United Nations amped up in the wake of the protests and conflicts during the first Arab Spring. A handful of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions were passed condemning and sanctioning specific groups for actions taken throughout the Middle East. This culminated in 2017, with UNSC resolution 2347, relating to the protection of cultural property and heritage. In addition to some specific condemnations, the UNSC called upon member states and international bodies to implement safeguards against this sort of destruction in the future. This clear top-down call to action was the most significant step in unifying the international community on the issue.
UNESCO has taken a strong stance at the forefront of protecting cultural artifacts and heritage sites, and it is important that the body continue to publish guidance and solutions that not only address the issues at hand, but also in a forward-thinking manner that can apply to conflicts down the line. From intentional problems, like deliberate destruction of cultural property or the looting and trafficking of cultural objects, to unintended consequences, such as collateral damage from munitions, or lack of care and resources as they are reallocated or unavailable in times of conflict, there is no shortage of the threats faced by heritage sites and cultural artifacts.
