Armenia has reportedly destroyed the Stepanakert monument, according to monumentwatch.org, a website that monitors the cultural heritage of Artsakh. This act of destruction comes after the military aggression in September 2023 and the acts of vandalism in the villages of Artsakh, highlighting Azerbaijan’s continued erasure of Armenian cultural values based on ethnic intolerance. The monument in question was a 50-meter-high illuminated cross located near a mine in the village of Dashaushen, representing not only a cultural value but also the Christian heritage of the Armenian nation.

The Ukrainian news agency Strana.ua first published footage of the fallen cross on September 29, 2023. The video shows that the cross was situated on a hill, making it visible from all sides of Stepanakert, the capital of Artsakh. Installed on May 9, 2017, the cross served as a commemoration of the liberation and protection of Artsakh as well as a tribute to the fallen soldiers. It was not only the second tallest in Europe but was also illuminated with special lights that shone even at night.

It is crucial to recognize that the destruction of cultural values associated with our global cultural heritage has far-reaching implications. As stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1954, cultural values encompass tangible or intangible manifestations that hold immense importance for individuals or humanity’s cultural and artistic heritage. Monuments of architecture, art or history, whether of religious or secular significance, fall under this definition and carry regional or universal importance. Furthermore, Article 4 of the 4th clause of the Universal Declaration emphasizes the obligation to respect and protect cultural, educational, scientific, or charitable facilities and institutions during periods of armed conflict, as outlined by the Fourth Geneva Convention.