JULIE DZEROWICZ (Canada) - SPECIAL REPORT
24 November 2024
Despite enjoying protection under international law, cultural heritage finds itself under attack in conflicts across the world. Malicious authoritarian States and non-state actors actively seek to weaponize it to pursue their pernicious goals.
This unsettling trend has staggering consequences for both the affected populations and global peace and security. The misappropriation, manipulation, and destruction of cultural heritage in armed conflict constitute an attack on the dignity and identity of communities, and fuel conflict and instability. The protection of cultural heritage in conflict is therefore of moral, legal, and strategic importance for NATO and the Allies.
This report outlines the international legal framework protecting cultural heritage during conflict and provides an overview of how cultural heritage has been targeted by armed actors in recent years. The report describes the significant measures that have been undertaken by NATO and the Allies to enhance the protection of cultural heritage in conflict, and concludes with a set of policy recommendations to further bolster those efforts.
