The International Criminal Court and the United Nations cultural organisation UNESCO on Monday took formal steps to boost cooperation on safeguarding cultural treasures from damage and destruction during conflicts.
“The deliberate destruction of cultural heritage not only affects peoples’ historical identity but fuels sectarian violence and hampers post-conflict recovery and peacebuilding," said UNESCO director general Irina Bokova.
Bokova and ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda signed a letter of intent to preserve cultural heritage during a high-level panel at UNESCO headquarters in Paris in which both officials took part.
"UNESCO and the ICC must strengthen their cooperation for the protection of cultural property in armed conflicts, as this is a humanitarian and security imperative”, said Bokova.
Bensouda praised UNESCO for its cultural work but stressed that more needed to be done.
"An effective strategy to address the destruction of cultural heritage requires a multi-faceted and collaborative approach," she said.
"This Letter of Intent is a recognition of that important relationship and paves the way for continued cooperation.”
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