Monday 6 January 2020

US Heritage Bodies Condemn Intentional Targeting by United States Military of Iranian Cultural Heritage Sites [UPDATE]


Although we are part of the International Coalition, the British and Polish archaeological bodies remain silent about this. The Archaeological Institute of America however takes a lead:
The AIA, an advocate for the preservation of the world’s archaeological heritage, condemns any intentional targeting of Iranian cultural heritage sites in unequivocal terms. The 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the U.S. Department of Defense’s Law of War Manual prohibit the intentional destruction of cultural heritage during armed conflict except in situations when targeting is imperative for a legitimate military goal. The AIA calls upon President Trump and the U.S. Department of Defense to protect civilians and cultural heritage in Iran, and to reaffirm that U.S. military forces will comply only with lawful military orders.
How embarrassing that anyone would have to say such a thing.

UPDATE 6th Jan 2020 
Now the Association of Art Museum Directors has joined the AIA in speaking out:
AAMD Statement on Cultural Heritage of Iran and IraqJanuary 6, 2020
The Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD), the organization representing 225 art museums in the United States, Canada, and Mexico urges, that in the event of hostilities, steps be taken to protect the cultural heritage of both Iran and Iraq.
AAMD deplores the tactic of targeting or demolishing cultural sites as part of any war or armed conflict. In this case, the region is home to unique and irreplaceable artifacts and archaeological sites, and AAMD strongly urges international engagement to protect and preserve our shared cultural heritage.
The United States has a long and important history of safeguarding art and artifacts during conflict, such as with the Monuments Men during World War II. The United States government should be aware of the location of the region's many significant cultural and religious sites and monuments—and the museum community stands ready to assist with locating them and working to help U.S. forces avoid targeting or destroying them.
Right, where is the President's own 'Cultural Property Advisory Committee'? And the American 'Committee for Cultural Policy'? Where do they stand on this?

The US military has joined the discussion. Defense Secretary Mark Esper said America would as a matter of course “follow the laws of armed conflict” if tensions with Iran escalates (Nick Visser, 'Pentagon Contradicts Trump, Says U.S. Won’t Strike Iran’s Cultural Sites' Huffington Post 6th January 2020). He'll be on the carpet tomorrow.



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