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European City Declared Heritage at Risk by UNESCO
🇦🇷 Argentina /Culture & Society

European City Declared Heritage at Risk by UNESCO

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • UNESCO has inscribed the ancient city of Chersonesus in Crimea on its list of World Heritage in Danger.
  • Ukraine alleges Russia's actions in the occupied territory are systematically altering the site and represent a 'cultural cleansing.'
  • Russia, however, accuses Ukraine of 'terrorist attacks' and claims UNESCO's decision is politically motivated.

The ancient Greek city of Chersonesus, located in Crimea and currently under Russian occupation, has been inscribed on UNESCO's list of World Heritage in Danger. The decision was made during the annual assembly in Busan, South Korea, by the World Heritage Committee.

confirms the magnitude and the systematic nature of the changes that are occurring on the property under temporary occupation.

— Ukrainian delegationStatement from Ukraine's delegation following UNESCO's decision to list Chersonesus as endangered.

Ukraine's delegation stated that the inscription confirms the "magnitude and systematic nature of the changes occurring on the property under temporary occupation." They argue that Russia's actions, including the excavation and transfer of over 12 million archaeological objects without Ukrainian authorization since UNESCO first listed the site in 2013, constitute a deliberate policy to integrate Crimea's cultural heritage and erase distinct cultural identities.

The magnitude, intensity, and cumulative character of the interventions reported raise serious concerns.

— UNESCO reportThe UNESCO report's assessment of the changes and interventions at the Chersonesus site.

UNESCO's report highlights "serious concerns" regarding the "magnitude, intensity, and cumulative character of the interventions." Ukraine contends that the destruction of the ancient city's ruins is not isolated but reflects a consistent policy by Moscow. This move by UNESCO adds Chersonesus to other Ukrainian sites threatened by the ongoing Russian invasion.

It reflects a coherent policy by Moscow aimed at integrating the cultural heritage of the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

— Ukrainian delegationUkraine's interpretation of Russia's actions regarding the cultural heritage in Crimea.

In contrast, Russian representatives protested the decision, labeling it a "new example of the politicization" of the UN organization. They asserted that the threats to the ancient Roman city stem from "constant terrorist attacks by the Ukrainian regime."

a new example of the politicization of the organization.

— Russian representativesRussia's reaction to UNESCO's decision, characterizing it as politically motivated.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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