Dear friends,
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Cyprus has been a proud member of the UN since its independence in 1960. The UN has always been at the core of Cyprus’ foreign policy; as a small state, we see our values and interests firmly embedded in a rules-based international order, and consider the UN as the cornerstone of effective multilateralism to address global challenges, including in relation to peace and security, climate change, protection and promotion of human rights for all, and sustainable development.
It is a great privilege to serve as Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the United Nations. Together with our small but dynamic team, we work to advance the interests, and the principles and the values of Cyprus. As an EU Member State, we also contribute, in coordination with our EU partners, to the enhancing and deepening of the EU – UN partnership which is focused on the promotion and protection of the multilateral and rules-based global governance system.
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Ambassador Andreas Hadjichrysanthou
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Statement by the PR of Cyprus to the UN, Amb. Andreas Hadjichrysanthou at the United Nations Security Council Arria Formula Meeting
Protection of Cultural Heritage in Armed Conflicts
New York, 2 May 2023
Mr. Chair,
Let me start by thanking France and the United Arab Emirates for convening this Security Council Arria Formula Meeting, with the co-sponsorship of Italy and Cyprus. I also wish to express our appreciation to our briefers for their invaluable contribution.
As stated in the 1954 Hague Convention, the “damage to cultural property belonging to any people whatsoever means damage to the cultural heritage of all mankind”. The loss is collective, and action to prevent such a loss should be therefore collective and unified.
International law stipulates that the deliberate targeting or plundering of religious, historic, and cultural sites is prohibited in times of war. The intentional destruction of cultural heritage is a war crime under the Rome Statue, it violates human rights and has a detrimental and irreversible impact on the enjoyment of cultural rights, including the ability to access and enjoy cultural heritage. In fact, through attacks on cultural heritage, perpetrators seek to uproot the cultural and ethnological connection of the local populations from their land.
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