[Documents/Docheader.htm]Destruction of the Armenian cultural heritage in the autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan of Azerbaijan
Urgency to prevent the destruction of cultural monuments in the Armenian-occupied town of Shusha of Azerbaijan
Written questions No 440 and 444 to the Committee of Ministers
Doc. 10374
15 December 2004Reply from the Committee of Ministers
adopted at the 907th meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies (24 November and 1st December 2004)
I. Written Question No. 440 by Mr Kocharyan (Doc. 10022)
Taking into consideration that the preservation of the World heritage and cultural diversity on the international level is one of the main objectives of the Council of Europe;
Noting that the significance of the preservation of the World cultural heritage has been recently once more emphasized by the adoption of the Declaration concerning the intentional destruction of cultural heritage;
Reiterating that the destruction of the medieval Armenian cemetery of the Old Town of Julfa, which encompasses numerous cross-stones – unique tombstones dated from the 9th through the 6th centuries – having not only significant historical and cultural but underestimated academic value is the damage to the World heritage;
Recalling that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Sub-Committee on the Cultural Heritage has already decided to arrange fact-finding missions on damage to the Armenian cultural heritage in Nakhichevan (Synopsis No 2003/51, 4 April 2003),
Mr Kocharyan
To ask the Committee of Ministers
1. Whether the Committee of Ministers is planning, as soon as possible, to send the inspection mission to Nakhichevan, to witness and determine the result of this destruction;
2. Whether the Committee of Ministers is going to urge the Government of Azerbaijan to take steps to stop the demolition of Armenian cultural heritage.
II. Written Question No. 444 by Mr R. Huseynov (Doc. 10159)
The domain of cultural heritage has been largely subjected to the damage in 20% of the territories of Azerbaijan presently occupied by the armed forces of Armenia. In spite of the fact that this problem was raised several times and various documents were prepared, it can not but cause a regret that no positive results are attained to this end. In recent times, the systematic demolition of historical and cultural monuments in Shusha is increasingly of great concern and makes necessary that most serious measures be undertaken to preserve this historical city.
Shusha town, being the cultural capital of Azerbaijan and named as “Conservatoire of Caucasus”, for the richness of historical, cultural and archaeological monuments had received the status of reserve town by the decision of the Government of Azerbaijan. The majority of cultural and historical monuments of this town had been included to the list of national and world important monuments. To date, the most of these monuments have been destroyed and continue to be destructed.
In the area of destructed monuments the restaurants and other commercial services are constructed. The historical house of famous Azerbaijan poetess Natavan (19th century) was burnt away, the mosque of Govhar Aga (the masterpiece of Eastern architecture and symbol of Shusha) was destroyed, the property of famous painter and musician Mir Mohsun Navvab was also demolished.
Many famous musicians of Azerbaijan were from Shusha, their houses of architectural value were destroyed.
As a result of intensified destruction activities, the real historical and cultural image of the town is at the vanishing point. All this shows genuine intention of the aggressor to extinguish all memory of the historical town of Shusha. This landmark is the asset of Azerbaijan as well as of Europe.
Taking into account the above-mentioned facts, Mr Huseynov asks the Committee of Ministers:
Which concrete, operational and urgent measures are possible in order to stop the mass destruction of monuments of the reserve town Shusha, to prevent the destruction of cemeteries and religious objects, to put an end to the commercial interests altering ultimately the unique architecture of this town?
III. Reply by the Committee of Ministers
1. The Committee of Ministers takes note of the Written Questions No. 440 by Mr Kocharyan and No. 444 by Mr Huseynov.
2. The concerns expressed in those questions lead the Committee of Ministers to re-affirm the fundamental principles on which cooperation is based within the Council of Europe, namely respect by the member states for territorial integrity and other principles of international law, for diversity and the identity of all. In keeping with this spirit, since the accession of Armenia and Azerbaijan it has always emphasised the need to refrain from antagonistic acts and statements and the expression of claims in order to foster reconciliation through dialogue. Only on this basis can mutual understanding and trust be developed all over Europe.
3. Regarding protection of the cultural heritage, the Committee of Ministers draws attention to the reply which it adopted to Parliamentary Assembly Recommendation 1599 (2003) on the cultural situation in the South Caucasus, in which it stressed the importance it attaches to the preservation of the cultural heritage in the region, and especially in the conflict zones in the South Caucasus. The cultural heritage of each member state is the foundation for its cultural identity and contributes to the diversity of the common heritage shared by all Europeans.
4. The Committee of Ministers notes the very great interest of both states concerned in preserving their respective cultural heritage, a feeling which is extensively reflected in the distinguished members’ questions. It considers that this shared interest could be used constructively, in the way recommended by the Assembly itself in Recommendation 1599 (2003), as the starting point for specific actions aimed in particular at the cultural heritage of historic towns.
5. It is from this perspective that the Committee of Ministers is implementing the Council of Europe’s “Regional Programme for Cultural and Natural Heritage in the South Caucasus”, which confirms the principle of preservation and enhancement of cultural assets as a factor for lasting social and economic development. Depending on the willingness of the participating states, this programme provides an operational framework for developing machinery and actions designed to contribute to the process of reconciliation through respect for heritage.
6. It goes without saying that in the cultural field, as in any other field of cooperation, the success of assistance programmes depends on an improvement of the political situation in the South Caucasus region, and in particular a solution to ongoing conflicts and a commitment by the states concerned to implement these programmes in a spirit of consultation and cooperation.
7. The Committee of Ministers is ready to provide the authorities of Armenia and Azerbaijan with strategic and technical assistance in identifying and organising practical activities on the ground, selected by mutual agreement and aimed objectively and on a professional and scientific basis at preserving heritage and the well-being of the population.