UNESCO says the situation with historical heritage sites in Crimea has deteriorated
UNESCO has published a report on the situation in the annexed Crimea which shows a deteriorating situation on the peninsula, as reported by the Press Service of Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The document notes gross violations by the Russian authorities in protecting cultural heritage in the Crimea. In January, Ukraine called on UNESCO to take urgent measures to prevent the threat of destruction of the Khan Palace in Bakhchysarai. However, the so-called "restoration works" in the Khan Palace of Bakhchysarai "threaten the historical and cultural authenticity of the site that has been added to the tentative list of UNESCO's cultural heritage.”
The report also emphasized that despite the rules of international law, archaeological excavations were carried out on the peninsula and artifacts were taken out from its territory.
The report calls for the implementation the UN General Assembly resolutions on Crimea. The latest resolution on December 19, 2017 obliges Russia to implement the decision of the International Court of Justice on the rights of the Crimean Tatar community and to ensure access to education in the Ukrainian language on the annexed peninsula.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated that this report will be considered at the 204th session of the Executive Board of UNESCO, which will be held from April 4 to 17, 2018 in Paris.