Heads of European heritage protection institutions express support for Ukraine

  • 2022-03-21
  • BNS/TBT Staff

TALLINN – The heads of European heritage protection institutions signed a declaration expressing solidarity with and support for Ukraine.

It is said in the joint declaration that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is causing enormous human suffering and in addition to the threats to life, health and civil structures, the invasion also poses an acute threat to the cultural heritage of Ukraine. According to the declaration, the 1954 Hague Convention states that "damage to cultural property belonging to any people whatsoever means damage to the cultural heritage of all mankind". The voluntary destruction of cultural heritage is a violation of international humanitarian law, it is said in the declaration.

The European Heritage Heads Forum (EHHF) network brings together national agencies, ministries and their divisions responsible for heritage management. Experts and leaders in the field of heritage from the European Union, the European Economic Area and the Council of Europe are invited to participate in the work of EHHF, and the aim of the forum is to share knowledge and experience in the management of historical environments.