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10 years too long...
Call for international attention, support and collaboration to protect Ukraine's cultural heritage

10 years too long... for war, thousands killed and Crimean Tatar and Ukrainian cultural heritage destruction since 2014...

Ten years have passed since the start of Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2014, a period marked by significant cultural and historical losses. This long-lasting war has not only had a devastating human cost but has also seen the systematic targeting and destruction of Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar cultural heritage. The urgency of protecting and preserving this irreplaceable cultural identity is more critical than ever.

The situation in Crimea is critically alarming, where Russia has illegally appropriated more than 4,000 nationally and locally protected cultural heritage monuments. These actions go beyond the seizing of physical objects; they are an erasure of cultural memory and an attack on the identity of the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar communities. The removal of Crimean artefacts to Russia without security justification or Ukrainian consent breaches the international law of occupation. Additionally, unsanctioned archaeological excavations have led to the illegal transport and sale of historical findings, further dispersing and disrupting Ukraine's cultural heritage.

The cultural heritage of the Crimean Tatars is under threat, with its foundations being obscured by destruction and poor conservation practices. These actions not only undermine the rich historical essence and identity of the Crimean Tatars but also violate international laws established for the protection of cultural heritage.

The Data4UA project is calling for international attention, support and collaboration to protect Ukraine's cultural heritage. It is crucial that the global community recognizes the scale of cultural heritage destruction occurring in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories and takes immediate steps to assist in its protection and preservation.

As we mark the decade since the beginning of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, we must recall again and again that it's imperative to document, protect and restore Ukraine's cultural assets, not only for the sake of historical preservation but also as a testament to the resilience and identity of its people in the face of ongoing war.

On this day and in the times to come, let us not forget what is happening in Ukraine. 

And let us not forget to help!

#StandingWithUkraine #CrimeaIsUkraine #10yearsTooLong

20 February 2024