Recently, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) took measures to preserve Ukraine’s cultural heritage, at risk due to Russia’s invasion. To prevent intentional or accidental damage, UNESCO has taken to marking cultural sites and monuments across Ukraine with the distinguished “Blue Shield” emblem from the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.
The Historical Significance of the 1954 Hague Convention
Armed conflicts throughout history have wreaked havoc not only on people’s lives but also on cultural heritage. These conflicts often result in large-scale destruction of cultural heritage, thereby undermining the foundations of communities and their prospects for lasting peace and reconciliation. Recognizing the universal importance of preserving cultural heritage, the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict was adopted under the auspices of UNESCO in 1954. This convention, also known as the 1954 Hague Convention, is the first and most comprehensive multilateral treaty focused exclusively on the protection of cultural heritage during times of peace and armed conflict.
The 1954 Hague Convention aims to protect cultural property, encompassing architectural, historical, or artistic monuments, archaeological sites, artworks, manuscripts, books, and objects of artistic, historical, or archaeological interest. It also includes scientific collections, regardless of their origin or ownership. India is one of the parties to the 1954 Hague Convention.
The Role and Function of the Blue Shield Emblem
Article 6 of the 1954 Hague Convention stipulates that cultural property can bear a distinct emblem to facilitate its recognition. As a result, the Blue Shield, formerly known as the International Committee of the Blue Shield, was established in 1996. This non-governmental, non-profit international organization is committed to protecting the world’s heritage. Its network of committees, often referred to as the cultural equivalent of the Red Cross, is dedicated to safeguarding the world’s cultural heritage from threats like armed conflict and natural disasters.
However, marking cultural property has its issues. Some states refrain from doing so, arguing that it could make the property more vulnerable to attack by an enemy determined to erase national identity symbols. This was the case during the war in former Yugoslavia, where cultural properties marked with the Blue Shield were intentionally targeted.
An Overview of UNESCO
UNESCO is a United Nations (UN) specialized agency aiming to build peace through international cooperation in Education, Sciences, and Culture. Established in 1945 and headquartered in Paris, France, UNESCO has 193 Members and 11 Associate Members. India joined the organization in 1946, while the USA and Israel formally quit in 2019.
UNESCO’s major initiatives include the Man and Biosphere Programme, World Heritage Programme, Global Geopark Network, Network of Creative Cities, Atlas of World Languages in Danger, and multiple reports, including the UNESCO Science Report and the State of the Education Report for India.
UNESCO’s World Heritage Recognition
To illustrate UNESCO’s global influence, let’s consider a past question: “Recently, which one of the following was included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage list? (2009) (a) Dilwara Temple(b) Kalka-Shimla Railway(c) Bhiterkanika Mangrove Area(d) Visakhapatnam to Araku valley railway line”. The correct answer was (b) Kalka-Shimla Railway. This demonstrates the significance of UNESCO’s recognition in endorsing and protecting world heritage sites.
