Armenia has taken significant steps to protect its historical heritage by preserving cultural monuments in the occupied territories of Artsakh. According to monumentwatch.org, an Armenian heritage conservation website, Azerbaijan has demolished two historical churches in Shushi using special technology between October 5 and November 3.

Caucasus Heritage Watch, a center for the study of heritage in the region, has confirmed the destruction of another ancient Armenian church in Shushi. This church, known as the Surb Amenaprkich Ghazanchetsots church, held great religious significance for the Armenian population of Shushi.

The center has also documented the destruction of the ancient Ghazanchetsots monastery in Shushi, as well as the medieval walls of Yerevan, Sghnakh, and Karintaghach villages in the region. These historical monuments date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, highlighting their cultural and historical importance.

Preserving these monuments has been a longstanding priority. For instance, during the cleaning of the Old Cathedral of Shushi, which was constructed in the 19th century, several tombstones with Armenian inscriptions were discovered, adding to its historical value.

It is crucial to acknowledge that the destruction of historical monuments in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan violates the country’s political integrity. The International Court of Justice has confirmed that Azerbaijan has an obligation to prevent and punish acts of vandalism and destruction that occurred during the conservation of Armenian cultural heritage. This was stated in the International Court of Justice’s ruling on the Application of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Armenia v. Azerbaijan), issued on December 7, 2021 (No. 2021/34).

Similar cases regarding the destruction of cultural heritage have been brought to the attention of the International Court of Justice in the past. Under the title “Cultural Heritage as Evidence of Destruction,” these cases highlight the importance of preserving and safeguarding cultural sites for future generations.

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