Maurk U Museum damaged by a military council attacked
Mizzima
The Save the Heritage organization has urged all armed groups in the country to refrain from engaging in conflicts in areas with ancient cultural heritage.
In a statement issued on 5 January, the NGO emphasised the importance of avoiding targeting cultural heritage sites, refraining from initiating hostilities in such locations, abstaining from using these sites as fortress defenses, and circumventing heritage sites before the onset of fighting. The aim is to safeguard these cultural treasures, preserve them, and gather essential information.
Particularly in the aftermath of the 2021 coup, the Military Council has been accused of targeting and attacking institutions like schools, hospitals, and religious buildings. These places often serve as temporary shelters for internally displaced persons (IDPs). The appeal asserts that soldiers are being stationed in these locations, heightening the risk to both the structures and the people seeking refuge there.
The organization reports that heritage sites are facing damage not only due to military actions but also as a result of attacks by revolutionary groups targeting locations where military personnel are stationed. For example, they cited instances of revolutionary groups launching attacks on the Mandalay Palace, a cultural heritage building in Mandalay, while it was occupied by the Military Council.
A representative from Save the Heritage said: “Engaging in combat within cultural heritage sites simply because the Military Council is stationed there is not a viable option. Anticipated consequences may not be favourable. In specific instances, a future legal resolution could prove detrimental to both parties involved.”
Archaeologists point out that these actions violate the 1954 Hague Convention and Geneva Convention VI, both of which Myanmar has signed. The deliberate destruction of ancient heritage during armed conflicts is a breach of these international agreements.
Moreover, in addition to the physical damage caused by fighting, there is a concerning trade in antiquities in areas affected by armed conflict. Such illicit trade further exacerbates the loss and potential irreparable damage to cultural artifacts.
The organization emphasized the importance of upholding and enforcing these directives across various armed groups. Save the Heritage intends to document any crimes committed against ancient cultural heritage by armed forces, creating a comprehensive record.
Furthermore, the organization highlighted that the nation’s cultural heritage plays a crucial role not only as a source of culturally-based tourism but also as a means of expressing the country’s identity during the post-revolutionary reconstruction process. Preserving and respecting these heritage sites becomes integral to the cultural and historical identity of the nation.
