August devastation in Ukraine

Russian aerial attacks in August damaged six UNESCO-protected sites in Odesa, including the 19th century Alexandru Sturdza House. Ukraine's Ministry of Culture reported 148 cultural heritage sites damaged or destroyed in just one month.

Why accountability remains elusive

Ukrainian activist groups have filed complaints with the International Criminal Court against Russia for cultural destruction, but no indictments have been issued. The legal framework exists, but enforcement is the real problem.

Evidence isn't the obstacle

Satellite imagery, remote sensing, and monitoring teams provide abundant evidence of cultural destruction. The real barriers are jurisdiction and political will from major powers.

“No state actor has ever been tried for this offence. The obstacle is no longer evidence... The obstacle is jurisdiction and political will.”

Gaza's Great Omari Mosque destroyed

The Great Omari Mosque, which charted Gaza's history from ancient temple to Byzantine church to Seventh Century mosque, was largely destroyed in an Israeli strike in 2023. The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas.

“When your past is destroyed, you have no present.”

Gaza's cultural losses run deep

An estimated 200,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed in Gaza by Israeli bombardment. Beyond the death toll, the destruction of cultural sites represents a loss of identity and history for Palestinians.

Iran's heritage under fire

More than 100 sites in Iran were damaged during the aerial war launched by the US and Israel in February, including the UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace in Tehran and Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan.

Sudan's ancient pyramids imperilled

The civil war in Sudan has halted all preservation work at the Meroe Pyramids, one of the ancient wonders of the world built during the Kingdom of Kush. The fragile structures now face erosion from sand and vegetation.

The Hague Convention of 1954

After World War Two, the first international treaty exclusively protecting cultural heritage during armed conflict was adopted. It requires states to safeguard cultural property and refrain from actions that might endanger it.

Enhanced protection protocol added

A Second Protocol in 1999 said sites with enhanced protection due to immense cultural significance must not be military targets, even if used militarily, unless there is no other feasible way to end that use.

ICC established with cultural mandate

When the International Criminal Court was established in The Hague in 2002, it was given authority to prosecute deliberate attacks on buildings of religious, artistic, educational and historical value as war crimes.

Only one successful prosecution

Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi, a jihadist militant leader in Mali, remains the only person successfully prosecuted by the ICC for cultural destruction. He was convicted of directing attacks on mausoleums and a mosque in Timbuktu and sentenced to nine years.

Heritage becomes propaganda tool

For most governments, heritage is a secondary concern unless it becomes useful for propaganda. The Hague Convention requires states to build protection into military rules, but recent conflicts show these obligations are not taken seriously.

“For most governments, heritage is a secondary concern, unless it becomes useful for propaganda.”

Ukrainian museum destroyed in 2022

A museum dedicated to 18th century Ukrainian philosopher Hryhoriy Skovoroda was destroyed by Russian shelling in an overnight attack. President Zelensky said targeted strikes against museums were something even terrorists would not consider.

“Targeted strikes against museums - not even terrorists would think of this.”

Heritage ambulances save collections

The Aliph Foundation provided millions in funding to Ukrainian museums to move valuable items to safety using specialized vehicles called heritage ambulances equipped with teams and equipment for transport and preservation.

Blue Shield International protects culture

Blue Shield International operates in multiple war zones as the Red Cross for culture, working with armed forces and local heritage officials. Ukrainian teams are risking their lives to document damage despite competing priorities.

ISIS destroyed Mosul's libraries

In February 2015, ISIS burned Mosul's Central Library and destroyed or stole thousands of books, including rare manuscripts. When the city was liberated, young and old people rushed to save what remained of this intellectual heritage.

“Seeing it destroyed felt like losing a part of myself.”

Industrial-scale looting in Iraq

During and after the ISIS rampage, priceless artefacts were looted on an industrial scale in Iraq and Syria and trafficked abroad, including to the US. A years-long Justice Department investigation traced smuggling routes and returned thousands of looted items.

Sudan's museum stripped bare

Sudan's national museum in Khartoum was stripped of its treasures in 2023 when the RSF faction took control, loading artefacts onto trucks and leaving display rooms empty. Much of the display telling the region's story may be lost forever.

What would actually deter destruction

Harsher sentences won't change behaviour. Real deterrence requires arrest warrants for commanders, prosecutions in national courts under universal jurisdiction, and targeted sanctions on individuals. These tools already exist but require political will.

“What would change the calculation is not harsher sentences, but a real prospect of being named - arrest warrants for the commanders.”

Khaled al-Asaad's sacrifice

Archaeologist Khaled al-Asaad guarded Palmyra for 40 years. When ISIS captured the ancient city, they tortured him to find hidden artefacts. He refused to tell them and was beheaded in a public square, becoming a symbol of cultural resistance.