Lubinets appeals to UN regarding destruction of Tauric Chersonesus by Russia
Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets has appealed to the UN regarding the destruction by Russia of the unique historical and archaeological monument of Tauric Chersonesus in the temporarily occupied Crimea.
"I appealed to the UN regarding the destruction of the Tauric Chersonesus by Russia! This is another crime on the part of the aggressor country and its destruction of Ukraine's cultural heritage. We need a reaction from the international community, because history is being destroyed before our eyes!" Lubinets wrote on the Telegram channel on Wednesday.
The Ombudsman recalled that "The ancient city of Tauric Chersonesus and its Hora" are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is a unique historical and archaeological monument of Crimea.
Lubinets also added that since 2014, the Russian Federation has launched a large-scale operation to destroy the Ukrainian cultural heritage. "For almost 10 years there was no reaction to this crime - historical monuments disappeared without a trace, and the world was silent," the ombudsman noted.
"Now the Russians have completely destroyed the authentic monument of world significance of Tauric Chersonesus! There they began illegal construction work on the ruins of Chersonesus, actually building a new city - the so-called historical and archaeological park," he wrote.
According to the Ombudsman, the developers blocked the archaeological remains that were on the surface with viewing platforms. In addition, the Russians moved and rebuilt several excavated sites elsewhere, and an amphitheater was erected on the site of the ancient citadel, which creates a load on the original structure.
The Russian Federation has also actually stolen and taken many archaeological finds to Russian museums.
"Russia must bear responsibility for the destruction of cultural heritage in accordance with international law! As well as for the theft of museum exhibits, which the Russian Federation is exporting on a large scale from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine! It is necessary to oblige the aggressor country to return the stolen goods!" Lubinets stressed.
