NATO and the new Threats to Cultural Heritage

The special report, entitled “History and Identity Under Attack: Protecting Cultural Heritage in Conflict“, written by Julie Dzerowicz for the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, has been issued on 24 November 2024. The report explores the growing destruction of cultural heritage in conflicts around the world, with a particular focus on Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.

The Report

The report highlights how authoritarian states and malicious non-state actors are instrumentalising cultural heritage to achieve their goals, with devastating consequences for affected populations and for global peace and security. The misappropriation, manipulation and destruction of cultural heritage in armed conflicts constitute an attack on the dignity and identity of communities, fuelling conflict and instability.

The report outlines the international legal framework for protecting cultural heritage in conflicts and provides an overview of how cultural heritage has been targeted by armed actors in recent years. The report also describes significant steps taken by NATO and Allies to improve the protection of cultural heritage in conflict, concluding with a series of policy recommendations to further strengthen these efforts. Key points from the report include:

• The protection of cultural heritage is a moral, legal and strategic imperative for the Alliance.
• International humanitarian law and international human rights law provide a comprehensive framework for the protection of cultural heritage.
• The increase in attacks on cultural heritage is driven by a variety of factors, including the rise of sectarian divisions, globalization and the proliferation of asymmetric warfare.
• Russia has instrumentalized cultural heritage in its war against Ukraine, using culture as a pretext for invasion and targeting Ukrainian cultural sites.
• NATO and Allies have taken significant steps to improve the protection of cultural heritage, including integrating protection measures into field operations and developing relevant capabilities.

The report concludes with a series of recommendations to strengthen NATO and Allied cultural heritage protection efforts. It recommends that NATO develop a comprehensive policy on cultural heritage protection, strengthen the capabilities of Allied armed forces, denounce the weaponization of cultural heritage by malicious actors, and engage with relevant stakeholders.

NATO’s ongoing actions

In the area of ​​cultural heritage protection, NATO and Allies have taken several significant actions to protect cultural heritage in conflict, recognizing its importance to human security, peace and stability. Some of the actions taken include:

• Integrating cultural heritage protection into field operations: Since 2002, the NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR) has been tasked with protecting numerous Serbian Orthodox heritage sites. Operation Unified Protector in Libya in 2011 used data to integrate cultural heritage protection into air strike planning, preventing collateral damage to heritage sites. Since 2014, NATO forces in Afghanistan have participated in cultural protection initiatives and projects.
• Development of military doctrine: NATO military doctrine has progressively integrated cultural heritage protection as a tactical and operational objective in all three of its core tasks: deterrence and defense, crisis prevention and management, and cooperative security. Specific guidelines have been developed to integrate cultural heritage protection into all phases of military operations and missions.
• Capacity enhancement: Since 2016, several NATO exercises have included cultural heritage protection. NATO-accredited centres of excellence have developed training courses on the subject.
• Human security approach: In 2022, NATO adopted its first human security approach, identifying cultural heritage protection as one of five priority areas.
• Development of a dedicated policy: In 2023, NATO announced its intention to develop a dedicated policy on cultural heritage protection, demonstrating the Alliance’s commitment to strengthening the existing policy framework.
• National actions: NATO Allies have taken steps to integrate international standards on cultural heritage protection into national legislation. They have also made efforts to integrate cultural protection principles into national military doctrine and practice by establishing specialized units and providing appropriate training.
• Awareness-raising and advocacy: NATO member states have been at the forefront of international awareness-raising and advocacy efforts in multilateral forums, highlighting the importance of protecting cultural heritage in conflict zones.
• Bilateral assistance: Allied countries actively provide bilateral assistance to conflict-affected countries and international organizations working on cultural heritage protection, including financial and technical support to UNESCO and other initiatives.
• Fighting impunity: Allies are committed to fighting impunity and supporting international accountability efforts for heritage crimes, including supporting national justice systems, the International Criminal Court and other international tribunals.

These actions demonstrate the growing commitment of NATO and Allies to protecting cultural heritage in conflict. The future policy dedicated to the protection of cultural property, together with increased collaboration between Allies and stakeholders, are aimed at further strengthening efforts in this crucial area.