Safeguarding the cultural and religious heritage of Jerusalem – UNESCO resolution

11.6  Jerusalem and the implementation of 23 C/Resolution 11.3

The General Conference,

Recalling the provisions of the Constitution of UNESCO relating to the conservation and protection of and respect for the natural heritage and cultural property, especially property of outstanding universal value,

Recalling the Hague Convention and Protocol of 1954 concerning the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict,

Recalling that the Israeli military occupation and the present status of the city of Jerusalem entail dangers for the safeguarding of its essential vocation,

Having examined the report by the Director-General on this matter (24 C/15 & Add.) and noting the results recorded in the synoptic report by Professor Lemaire,

Noting that recent incidents have given rise to genuine concern on the part of the high authorities and the Palestinian population of Jerusalem, who consider that the measures taken by the occupation administration to avoid the repetition of these incidents do not always provide an adequate and lasting guarantee,

Reaffirming the unique role of the city of Jerusalem in the history of humanity and, consequently, the necessity and urgency of taking all appropriate measures to safeguard its cultural character, its homogeneity and its irreplaceable universal value,

1, Recalls and reaffirms the previous resolutions adopted by the General Conference, which seek to ensure the safeguarding of all the spiritual, cultural, historical and other values of the holy city;

2. Deplores the fact that assaults and attempted assaults have been perpetrated on the holy places of Islam, which constitutes a grave derogation of the ecumenical vocation of the city;

3. Deplores the fact that the monumental heritage and the traditional historical site of the city have been subjected to destruction and alterations during the occupation;

4. Thanks the Director-General for everything he has done to ensure that the decisions and resolutions of UNESCO are applied;

5. Once more draws the attention of the international community as a matter of urgency to the state of degradation of the Islamic cultural and religious heritage belonging to the Waqf and Invites Member States, foundations and individuals to support the financial efforts of the Waqf to maintain and restore this heritage;

6. Invites the Director-General to continue the strict application of the decisions and resolutions of UNESCO relating to the safeguarding of the cultural heritage of Jerusalem so long as the city is occupied;

7. Decides to include this question in the agenda of its twenty-fifth session with a view to taking such decisions as may be required by the situation obtaining at that time.

Excerpted from:

Records of the General Conference

Twenty-fourth Session Paris, 20 October to 20 November 1987