Cultural destruction in Ukraine by Russian forces will reverberate for years, UN rights expert warns |
“As in other conflicts, we are now seeing ongoing suffering in Ukraine it just doesn’t seem to end and we can’t stop,“Alexandra Xanthaki, Special Rapporteur on cultural rights.
“The questioning and denying Ukraine’s identity and history as a justification for waris a violation of the Ukrainian people’s right to self-determination and their cultural rights.
“Self-identification is paramount to these rights and all discussions by States and on social media must respect this.”
She said that the significant loss of cultural heritage and the destruction of cultural artefacts, is worrisome for the identity of both Ukrainians and ethnic minorities in the country, and will affect influenced the return to a peaceful multicultural society after the war ended.
The museum is on fire
Ms. Xanthaki expressed concern at the damage caused by Russian troops to city centers, cultural sites, monuments and museums, which house important collections.
“These are all part of the identity of the Ukrainian people; Their loss will have lasting effects,” experts said. She shares the UN cultural agency UNESCOconcerns that there is an existential threat to Ukraine’s entire cultural life.
The expert said the cultural rights of all individuals – Ukrainians, Russians and other members of minorities living in Ukraine, the Russian Federation and elsewhere – must be fully respected and protected.
“As the battles take place, we are not completely helpless,” she said. “In addition to reiterating that the rules of international humanitarian and human rights law should be applied with caution by all parties to the conflict, we must ensure that culture helps us maintain our dignity and is not used as a means to pursue and promote war.
“We often fail to measure how devastating cultural rights violations are to peace,” she continued.
“Attempts to combat academic and artistic freedoms, language rights, misrepresent and distort historical facts, smear identities, and deny self-determination, lead to further degradation and promote open conflict.”
The expert expressed gratitude to the many cultural experts in Ukraine who have devoted themselves to protecting the country’s heritage, who are using powerful artistic expression, against war and in favor of peace. .
‘Regret’ for being retaliated against
Special Rapporteur also expressed regret over the indiscriminate exclusion of Russian artists from cultural events.
“I am saddened by the many restrictions affecting Russian artists in retaliation for the actions of the Russian Government, as well as the reprogramming of centuries-old works of art by writers or composers. Russian music”.
Ms. Xanthaki cited reports of Russian musicians being prevented from performing or participating in competitions and that Russian artists were asked to publicly take sides.
“What is special is that in this situation of constant dehumanization, culture and cultural rights must be clearly seen and promoted for humanity, empathy and peaceful coexistence,” she speaks.
The UN special rapporteurs are independent experts, appointed by Dong Nhan Quyen Association. They are not employees of the UN, nor are they paid by the UN for their work.
