On October 7, 2021, Telegram channel @ararathau shared a video which clearly shows how Azerbaijani soldiers desecrate Kusanats Anapat (Maidens’ Monastery) in Avetaranots village of Askeran region of Artsakh.and express their hatred towards the monument.

The video clearly shows that the Azerbaijani military turned the monastery into a godless place, express their hostile and disrespectful attitude towards the Armenian cultural heritage. They shout, humiliate the religious functions of the Armenian Apostolic Church, khachkars, church utensils, apply acts of hostility and vandalism. The video also shows broken khachkars and rabbish scattered throughout the territory.

Our response

According to the 4th article of the 1954 Hague Convention "On the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict", any acts of theft, robbery or misappropriation of cultural property in any form, and any acts of vandalism are prohibited.

The Second Hague Protocol of 1999 that also refers to the cases of non-international (ethnic) conflicts prohibits any act of hostility and retaliation against inheritance, which is classified as an international crime by Article 15.

According to the Geneva First Protocol of the Convention of 12 August 1949, Article 53 states: “Without prejudice to the provisions of the Hague Convention of May 14, 1954, it is prohibited to carry out any hostile action against cultural heritage, to use it for military purposes, or make it a subject of retaliation”.