Destruction of Cultural Heritage Sites in Ukraine: Is There a Need for a New Framework to Address Cultural Loss?

Abstract

The destruction of cultural heritage sites and loss of other cultural objects in Ukraine reveal the necessity of understanding the existing international frameworks, and their obligations. This Comment argues that existing international conventions governing UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the destruction of cultural objects sufficiently address the concept of cultural genocide. Moreover, a convention designed solely to address cultural genocide is not required because existing frameworks correctly place the onus on countries to timely request monitoring of cultural sites and respond to human rights violations where heritage has been destroyed.