Cultural Heritage Under Siege
Following the recent missile strikes on Sunday, the centuries-old Transfiguration Cathedral, a prominent Orthodox church in the historic city, suffered significant damage. Moreover, other landmarks in the city center, part of a protected World Heritage Site, were also affected by the attack.
Tragically, the assault resulted in the loss of one life and injuries to several others. Khaled Khiari, UN Assistant Secretary-General for political and peacebuilding affairs, expressed deep concern over this alarming event, underscoring that it was not the first attack on Ukrainian culture and heritage.
Disturbingly, since the war began, UNESCO has verified damage to 274 cultural sites in Ukraine, including 117 religious sites.
Plea for Safeguarding Cultural Property
Khaled Khiari emphasized the gravity of the situation, urging the Russian Federation to cease all attacks on cultural property that are protected by widely ratified international normative instruments. The destruction of cultural heritage goes beyond mere physical damage; it erodes the very essence of a nation’s identity and history.
Alarming Implications for Global Food Security
The missile and drone strikes on Odesa and other cities in southern Ukraine, including Mykolaiv and Chornomorsk, followed the collapse of the UN-brokered Black Sea Initiative on grain exports. Tragically, these attacks resulted in the loss of three lives and numerous injuries. As previously warned by the UN, targeting Black Sea port facilities could have severe consequences for global food security.
This was demonstrated when the recent attacks extended to port infrastructure, including grain storage facilities in Reni and Izmail ports along the Danube River, critical routes for Ukrainian grain shipments. Such actions threaten not only the livelihoods of Ukrainians but also impact millions around the world who depend on Ukraine’s grain exports for sustenance.
Urgent Appeal for Ceasefire
In the face of such dire circumstances, Khaled Khiari issued an impassioned appeal for an immediate halt to attacks on port facilities that facilitate the export of food. Deliberately targeting infrastructure essential for providing sustenance to the world’s population is unconscionable and requires swift and decisive action.
Meeting on Religion: Polarization and Persecution
In a separate Security Council meeting, the focus shifted to the issue of alleged persecution involving the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Russia had raised concerns about Ukraine’s purported attempt to undermine the Church, affiliated with the Russian Orthodox Church. Nihal Saad, Director of the UN Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC), which promotes intercultural dialogue, pointed out that politicizing religion during the conflict in Ukraine fuels intercommunal tensions and triggers violence.
Grave Concerns Over Religious Freedom
Nihal Saad highlighted the grave concerns regarding freedom of religion and the safety of religious communities in both Ukrainian Government-controlled territories and Russian-occupied areas. UN human rights reports show an increase in violence against members and supporters of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in early 2023.
Furthermore, city and regional councils in April banned Ukrainian Orthodox activities, and hate speech and violence escalated. In areas under Russian control, troops perpetrated actions against clergy and members of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic and Christian Evangelical communities, including forced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, torture, and unlawful deportations from August 2022 to January 2023.
In Melitopol, Russian authorities raided, ransacked, and closed three Baptist places of worship, allegedly due to their purported links with foreign intelligence services.
A Call for Respect and Unity
Amidst the troubling religious situation, Nihal Saad called upon both sides to respect and uphold freedom of religion or belief. Targeting religious actors and faith communities across Ukraine is shortsighted, miscalculated, and counter-productive.
She stressed the critical role of religious leaders in preserving the social fabric of a unified Ukraine and their potential to play a key role in peacebuilding when the war eventually ends. Our national pride and cultural heritage are under siege.
Sources: THX News & United Nations.
