Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench) on Monday, 2 March 2015, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 March 2015. It was answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative) on Monday, 9 March 2015 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Iraq

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that Isis has destroyed and burnt ancient books and manuscripts in Mosul.

Answer: The British Government is aware of reports that the self-styled Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has destroyed and burnt ancient books and manuscripts in northern Iraq. Whilst we are not in a position to confirm those reports we utterly condemn all acts of vandalism against Iraq’s history and culture. The UK supported the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 2199 which condemns the destruction of cultural heritage in Iraq and Syria, including the targeted destruction of religious sites and objects.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL5323
Session: 2014-15
Subjects: Armed conflict Cultural heritage Iraq Publications Manuscripts Islamic State
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk