Violation of human rights to access to cultural heritage during the Russian aggression against Ukraine

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the right of a person and a citizen to use the cultural heritage of his people, to access cultural values. During the armed attack of the Russian Federation on Ukraine, from the first days of the active phase of the war, the world saw cultural genocide, intentions to destroy the Ukrainian nation, which, according to the aggressor, has no right to exist. The whole world witnessed the destruction by the aggressor country of our historical memory, which is represented in objects, traditions, crafts, etc. Cultural heritage is a living tradition that connects generations, forms the identity of the Ukrainian nation, and is the property of all mankind. The denial of the Ukrainian people's ownership of their cultural heritage, its destruction, the theft and appropriation of cultural values, the eradication of historical memory is a component of the Russian policy of destroying the identity of the Ukrainian people. Therefore, cultural heritage occupies a central place in the strategy of Russian aggression against Ukraine to establish historical, cultural and religious hegemony. It is the cultural heritage of Ukraine, in which our Ukrainian cultural code is reflected, that influences the formation of us as a nation, inspiring the defense of our country against the racists. This once again emphasizes that the preservation of cultural heritage sites during war or armed conflict is extremely important when there is a great threat of their damage, destruction or theft of cultural values by the enemy. The article analyzes international and national legislation regarding the preservation of the cultural heritage of the people and responsibility for its destruction during hostilities. Ukraine and, first of all, the international community should apply all instruments of international law in order to bring to justice both the aggressor state and individuals guilty of the destruction, damage and theft of cultural values of Ukraine, because, as noted at the beginning of the article, cultural heritage is property of all mankind.