HRC 49th Session: Decisions and conclusions: General comment on the draft resolution L.8 Cultural rights and the protection of cultural heritage

31 March, 2022

Delivered by H.E. Andranik Hovhannisyan, Ambassador, Permanent Representative

President,

Armenia attaches great importance to this resolution, which addresses a very important and pertinent issue both from the perspective of the international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

We thank the core group under able leadership of Cyprus for the constructive and transparent way in which negotiations on this resolution were handled. A range of concerns and new proposals were taken onboard. Armenia deems it extremely important that the Council will reiterate its acknowledgement of the necessity to protect the cultural heritage of persons belonging to minorities from intentional destruction aimed at erasing evidence of their presence as a key factor for preservation of their identity.

The text before us contains several important elements that have the potential of contributing significantly to the promotion and protection of cultural rights and protection of cultural heritage.

In this context, Armenia especially emphasizes the importance of the enhanced cooperation between the OHCHR, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, UNESCO and other relevant agencies and bodies of the United Nations system. Armenia is convinced that the UN system has been bestowed with a universal mandate and should enjoy unconditional, unimpeded, unhindered and unfettered access to people in need, wherever they are and in all circumstances.

Armenia also emphasizes that the protection of cultural heritage should be mainstreamed within humanitarian actions, security strategies and peacebuilding processes and reconciliation initiatives.

President,

Armenia recalls that States have a duty to take all steps necessary to facilitate prosecution of those responsible for intentional destruction of cultural heritage, in accordance with international law. Hence, States should collect and preserve evidence needed for such prosecution and should refrain from actions that may further exacerbate the situation.

The Human Rights Council and its mechanism have an important role to play in early warning and monitoring of the violations of the cultural rights and the protection of cultural heritage.

We encourage States to initiate thorough consultations among local, national and international stakeholders, including technical experts and relevant populations, before proceeding with any form of reconstruction or long-term preservation efforts.

The adoption of this resolution is a sign to the world that such violations can never be acceptable and that perpetrators of the crimes we addressed should brought to justice.

This is why Armenia strongly supports L.8 as drafted and is looking forward to its consensual adoption.

I thank you.

MFA RA
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