Written question asked by Bishop of Southwark (Bishops (affiliation)) on Monday, 23 November 2020, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 December 2020. It was answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Conservative) on Monday, 7 December 2020 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Nagorno Karabakh: Cultural Heritage

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to protect Armenian cultural and religious sites following the Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Answer: The UK Government is concerned by reports that both sides in the recent conflict have desecrated and destroyed cultural heritage sites. We have not made an assessment of the vulnerability of religious and cultural sites in Nagorno-Karabakh but have urged both parties to respect the cultural heritage of the region. We support UNESCO's efforts to assess the impact of fighting on sites of cultural significance. The Minister for the European Neighbourhood and the Americas has been in regular contact with the Armenian and Azerbaijani Foreign Ministers since the outbreak of hostilities in September. The Minister welcomed the news of the peace deal. She noted that a peaceful settlement was essential to securing the stability of the region; this included the protection of all cultural heritage sites. The British Ambassador to Azerbaijan also raised this issue with representatives of the Presidential Administration on 17 November.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL10641
Session: 2019-21
Grouped for answer: Yes
Subjects: Armed conflict Cultural heritage Armenia Protection Religious buildings Azerbaijan Nagorno Karabakh
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk