ArmInfo.The Office of the Artsakh Human Rights Defender has published a report on the threat of vandalism and destruction of the Armenian cultural heritage in the territories of Artsakh occupied by Azerbaijan.
In particular, the report notes: "Due to the military aggression against the Republic of Artsakh, at least 1456 known immovable monuments of Armenian history and culture remained under the control of Azerbaijan. These monuments include 161 monasteries, churches, 591 khachkars, Tigranakert, Azokh, Nor Karmiravan, Mirika, Keren's antiquities and many fortresses. Eight state museums with 19,311 exhibits, as well as private museums of carpets and the Armenian drama in Shushi came under the control of Azerbaijan>.
The report presents a number of cases of destruction and vandalism of the Armenian cultural heritage during the Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression, as well as after the ceasefire, including cases of deliberate attacks and vandalism against the churches of the Holy All-Savior in Shushi.
The report also refers to Azerbaijan's policy of deliberately spreading misinformation about the Armenian cultural heritage of Artsakh and the "Albanization" of cultural monuments, which threatens the destruction of the Armenian cultural heritage in Artsakh.
"The destruction and distortion of the Armenian cultural heritage in Azerbaijan is systematic and widespread. Actions and statements of state bodies and public figures of Azerbaijan show that this is a special state policy based on a criminal policy of inciting hatred towards the Armenian people. Taking into account the numerous precedents and real dangers of the deliberate destruction of the Armenian cultural heritage in the territories under the control of Azerbaijan by the Azerbaijani authorities, the employees of the Artsakh Human Rights Defender are considering urgent, effective and immediate steps of the relevant international organizations, especially UNESCO, to preserve the cultural heritage in Artsakh>, - highlights in the report of the Artsakh Human Rights Defender.