WRITTEN QUESTION NO 535 TO THE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS PRESENTED BY MR HARUTIUNYAN

Panorama.am
20:42 04/10/2007

Violation of the European Cultural Convention by Azerbaijan

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Rec alling the commitment of the parties to the European Cultural
Convention to take all measures in order to safeguard the heritage
placed under their control which constitutes European cultural value;

Underlining the fact that this heritage is an integral part of the
common heritage of Europe;

Deploring the systematic policy of demolition of the Armenian cultural
heritage carried out by the authorities of Azerbaijan, which has been
underscored in recent years by destruction of the medieval cemetery
of ancient town of Julfa in the Autonomous Republic of Nakhichevan
and in final decimation in December 2005;

Acknowledging that the authorities of Azerbaijan continue to hinder
free access of any international mission to these sites, particularly
of the Rapporteur of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe who planned to visit the region recently;

Taking into consideration the fact that the failure of access of
international missions to these sites of cultural heritage and lack of
appropriate reaction by the international community allow continuation
of such a policy;

Considering that the Azerbaijan Republic, a party to the European
Cultural Convention, violates its obligation arising from this
Convention, particularly the obligation stipulated by Article 5?

Mr David Harutiunyan asks the Committee of Ministers,

If the committee will request the authorities of Azerbaijan to comply
with the above-mentioned obligations and facilitate the access of
the relevant PACE mission to Armenian cultural heritage in Nakhichevan.

Signed:

HARUTIUNYAN Davit, Armenia, NR

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