[Pic: Azerbaijanis have destroyed the bell tower and dome of Shushi's Armenian “Kanach Zham” Church, which was built in 1818]CANBERRA: An appeal has been made to Australia's Ambassador to
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Her Excellency Megan Anderson requesting Canberra's intervention to stop Azerbaijan's destruction of Armenian cultural heritage sites in the recently-invaded Republic of Artsakh.
The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU) has written to Ms Anderson and Australia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon. Marise Payne, detailing the sources of Armenian-Australian concerns as Azerbaijan's history of desecrating sites of historical significance, as well as their more recent actions.
"In what has been labelled as one of the greatest cultural genocides of the 21st century, Azerbaijan destroyed thousands of Armenian cross-stones (khatchkars) in Nakhichevan in late 2005, which has been captured by video footage from the Iranian border," the ANC-AU letter reads.
"Khatchkars, standing vertically, date back to the 6th century and are unique to Armenian burial traditions. These distinctive and tall cross-stones are highly ornate and detailed with symbols, and patterns. In Nakhichevan, an enclave under Azerbaijan control since Soviet times, has seen the destruction and obliteration of 89 Armenian churches, 5,840 khatchkars, and 22,000 tombstones."
"A similar fate is threatening to occur in Artsakh unless there is international intervention."
The ANC-AU letter added: "Among the sites under threat include: Ghazanchetsots Cathedral located in Shushi; Dadivank monastery (founded in 1st century, built between 9-13th century); Gandzasar monastery; Gtichavank monastery; Amaras Monastery; Handaberd fortress; Yerits Mankants monastery; Katavorank monastery; and many others."
"The Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in Shushi has already been vandalised, as have other Armenian churches within days of occupation. During the war, this cathedral was deliberately bombed twice with missiles by Azerbaijani forces, backed by Turkey."
ANC-AU called on the Australia's Ambassador to UNESCO to make representations to ensure the necessary international pressure to stop the eradication of indigenous Armenian history in occupied Artsakh.
"The Nagorno Karabakh enclave (Artsakh) has been inhabited for thousands of years by an indigenous Armenian population, and seeks self-determination after declaring independence in 1991 in accordance with international law and the then-applicable Soviet Constitution following a democratic referendum. We urge the Australian government not to allow Artsakh to become another Nakhichevan," the letter concluded.
