ICOM Calls for Protection of Museums and Cultural Heritage Amid Conflict in Iran, the Gulf Region and the Eastern Mediterranean

The International Council of Museums - ICOM expresses deep concern over the protection of museums and cultural heritage.

ICOM expresses its serious concernover the recentconflictin Iran, the Gulf Region and the Eastern Mediterranean, itshumanitarian impact,as well as the risks facing museumsandcultural heritage sites. We are alarmed by reports of serious damageto cultural sites in the region, confirmed by intergovernmental organisations such as UNESCO.

ICOM is closely monitoringthe situation in coordination with its National Committees and partners in the regionand internationally, in line with its core commitment tothe protection of culturalheritage. We remain attentive to the safety and well-being of ourmembersin the affected areasas well as all professionals working to safeguard cultural heritage. ICOM underlines the need to respect international humanitarian law and to ensurethe protection of civilians.

ICOM calls uponall parties to respect their obligations under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event ofArmed Conflict and its Protocolsand reiterates its call toall parties to comply withtheir international legal obligations to safeguard cultural heritage.ICOMsupports statements already published by partner organisations and refers to the ICOM Statement for Peace, and the Declaration on the protection of archives, libraries, museums and heritage places during armed conflicts and political instability.

The destruction of heritage is not only a local tragedy;it is a loss forall humankind. We must come together, through dialogue, cooperation, and respect to preserve the cultural bridges that connect our shared past to a more peaceful future.