UNESCO vows to protect heritage temples damaged by Thai shelling
[Montage shows Ta Krabei Temple in Oddar Meanchey before and after Thai bombardment. CMAC]
[National] Synopsis: Recent Thai army shelling has severely damaged the Ta Krabei and Preah Vihear Temples as well as the conservation facilities of the Cambodia-India joint restoration project.
The UNESCO chief stated that the organisation is prepared to provide the technical expertise and necessary measures to rescue several ancient Cambodian temples that have suffered significant damage from shelling by the Thai military.
Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, made the remarks via video from France during the 32nd Plenary Session of the International Coordinating Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of the Angkor and Sambor Prei Kuk Sites (ICC-Angkor/Sambor Prei Kuk), held on Friday in Siem Reap province.
Assomo emphasised that Cambodia is rich in heritage sites, and UNESCO is closely monitoring the situation. He reaffirmed that the organisation is ready to provide technical support and take all necessary measures to protect Cambodia’s cultural heritage in accordance with international law.
“It is not possible for me to speak about Cambodia’s Rich Heritage without addressing the distressing news from recent days. UNESCO is closely monitoring the situation and we stand ready to provide assistance for the implementation of any necessary safeguarding measures as soon as conditions allow,” he said.
The statement comes amid reports of Thai forces using heavy weapons to damage ancient Cambodian temples, including Ta Krabei Temple in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear Temple in Preah Vihear province, during recent border clashes.
According to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Ta Krabei Temple suffered severe shelling on Tuesday and Wednesday, causing extensive structural damage despite previous appeals from the ministry.
Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, also experienced renewed destruction, including attacks on the conservation building of the Cambodia-India joint restoration project for the 5th Gopura and other conservation infrastructure within the temple complex.
On Wednesday, UNESCO expressed grave concern over the escalating border tensions, particularly around Preah Vihear Temple, and urged all parties to take immediate action to safeguard the region’s cultural heritage. The organisation emphasised the obligation to respect international law, including the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the 1972 World Heritage Convention.
Meanwhile, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs of India, Shri Randhir Jaiswal, expressed concern over the damage to conservation facilities at Preah Vihear Temple.
“The UNESCO World Heritage site of Preah Vihear Temple is a shared cultural heritage of humanity. India has been closely involved in its preservation. We sincerely hope that all measures will be taken to fully safeguard the site and related conservation facilities, he said.”
“We once again reiterate our appeal to both sides to return to the path of dialogue and peace,” he added.
-Khmer Times-
