Jerusalem’s cultural heritage – UNESCO decision

---

12 Jerusalem and the implementation of 35 C/Resolution 49 and 182 EX/Decision 15

(184 EX/12; 184 EX/INF.12; 184 EX/42 Add.)

The Executive Board,

1. Having examined item 12 of its agenda, as well as 184 EX/PX/DR.2 (text attached),

2. Requests the Director-General to report to it at its 185th session on this matter;

3. Expresses its commitment to exert its utmost efforts to resolve this issue at its 185th session;

4. Decides to include this item in the agenda of its forthcoming session (185th).

---

PROGRAMME AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS COMMISSION (PX)

Item 12 Jerusalem and the implementation of 35 C/Resolution 49 and 182 EX/Decision 15 (184 EX/12 and 184 EX/INF.12)

DRAFT DECISION

submitted by: *ALGERIA, BURKINA FASO, CÔTE D’IVOIRE, CUBA, DJIBOUTI, EGYPT, KUWAIT, MALAYSIA, MOROCCO, PAKISTAN, SAUDI ARABIA, SENEGAL, TUNISIA, VENEZUELA (BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF) and VIET NAM

The Executive Board,

1. Having examined document 184 EX/12 and Add.,

2. Recalling resolutions and decisions of UNESCO on Jerusalem, as well as the provisions of the four Geneva Conventions (1949), the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954) and the related Protocols and the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972),

3. Also recalling General Conference and Executive Board decisions regarding the appointment of a permanent representative of the Director-General of UNESCO on the issue of Jerusalem,

4. Affirming that nothing in the present decision, which is aimed at the safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of East Jerusalem, shall in any way affect the relevant United Nations resolutions and decisions, in particular the relevant Security Council resolutions on the legal status of Jerusalem,

5. Expresses its deep concern over the ongoing Israeli excavations and archaeological works on Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and in the Old City of Jerusalem, which contradict with UNESCO decisions and conventions and United Nations and Security Council resolutions;

6. Also expresses its concern about the ongoing Israeli practices in East Jerusalem, that dangerously affect the city’s distinctive character, both religious and cultural, historical and demographical;

7. Reaffirms the religious significance of the Old City of Jerusalem for Muslims, Christians and Jews;

8. Invites the Director-General to appoint, as soon as possible, a permanent and eminent expert(s) to be stationed in East Jerusalem to report on a regular basis about all the aspects covering the architectural, educational, cultural and demographical situation in the City of East Jerusalem;

9. Invites the lsraeli authorities to facilitate the work of the expert(s) in conformity with its adherence to UNESCO decisions and conventions;

10. Also invites Member States to provide the necessary assistance to finance the work of the expert(s) from extrabudgetary resources;

11. Thanks the international donors for their generous contributions for the implementation of projects within the framework of the UNESCO Action Plan for the Safeguarding of the Cultural Heritage of the Old City of Jerusalem;

12. Expresses its sincere thanks to the Director-General for her commitment to pursue the efforts for the safeguarding of the unique heritage of the City of Jerusalem, in compliance with the relevant resolutions and decisions of the General Conference and the Executive Board;

13. Decides to include this item on the agenda of its 185th session and invites the Director-General to submit a follow-up report on this matter.

– – – – – – – – – –

__________

*After the publication of the draft decision, the following Board Members added their signatures: Bangladesh, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger and Zimbabwe.