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Deputy Minister of State for Culture Dr Vasiliki Kassianidou participated yesterday in an interdisciplinary workshop on the protection of cultural heritage as a basic human right. The Deputy Minister participated in the workshop at the invitation of the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights.
This event - which was attended by representatives of member states of the international organization, academics, representatives of cultural institutions and other international organizations - had as its main objective to examine and promote tools for the protection, restoration and conservation of cultural heritage by promoting universal respect for cultural rights. It is worth noting that the adoption of the first resolution on human rights and the protection of cultural heritage by the UN Human Rights Council was achieved at the initiative of the Republic of Cyprus.
In her intervention, the Deputy Minister said that the protection of cultural heritage, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and various other international instruments, is not just a cultural imperative but a fundamental human right.
"The rich tapestry of the world's cultural heritage, in all its forms, represents the culmination of human creativity and diversity," she said. However, the Deputy Minister added that cultural heritage is increasingly threatened, not only by the ravages of time but also by armed conflict, natural disasters and the onslaught of globalisation.
In line with UN Resolution 49/7, the aim is to reaffirm our commitment to the protection of cultural heritage, but also to improve and develop tools to disseminate an approach based on the inalienable human right to the protection of cultural heritage, Dr. Kassianidou added.
Referring to the division of Cyprus, Dr Kassianidou stressed that this "continues to affect the right of access and enjoyment of cultural heritage". "Since 1974, priceless Cypriot antiquities from the occupied part have been desecrated or illegally trafficked by antiquities thieves."
"The struggle for the restoration of damaged monuments, the identification and repatriation of lost ancient objects and religious relics has never been easy.", Dr. Kassanidou pointed out, expressing the will of the Republic of Cyprus to stand by other countries facing similar challenges in relation to the need to protect cultural heritage in times of crisis.
According to Dr. Cassanidou, in cases of crisis, tools should include rapid response and intervention mechanisms for the recovery and restoration of damaged cultural heritage monuments as well as the return of stolen cultural objects.
Furthermore, she added, the development of an international cooperation platform should be promoted, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and resources between nations and cultural heritage professionals.
In closing, the Deputy Minister stressed that it is "Our duty is to ensure that the protection, restoration and preservation of cultural heritage is not considered merely optional but as a necessary human right. The tools we develop must not only address the practical aspects of conservation but must also encapsulate the spirit of human solidarity, respect for diversity and the uncompromising defence of cultural rights," concluded the Deputy Minister of Culture.
(EFS/MS)
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