The Council of Europe has declared that Russia’s destruction of Ukrainian cultural heritage is consistent with genocide.

“Noting that more than a thousand cultural sites had been damaged or destroyed since the beginning of the war, the Congress underlined that the targeting and looting of cultural sites appeared to reflect a systematic policy aimed at erasing Ukraine’s historical and cultural identity, consistent with a genocidal intent,” the Council said.

It’s not the first time Russia’s war in Ukraine has been designated a genocide by international authorities. Multiple European national parliaments have already done so with the Council of Europe deeming Russia’s forced transfer of children as an act of genocide in 2023.

  • fukhueson@lemmy.world
    147·
    15 days ago

    In addition, there are objectively more sites damaged or destroyed in Ukraine.

    https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/damaged-cultural-sites-ukraine-verified-unesco

    As of 16 October 2024 UNESCO has verified damage to 457 sites since 24 February 2022 – 143 religious sites, 231 buildings of historical and/or artistic interest, 32 museums, 33 monuments, 17 libraries, 1 archive.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destruction_of_cultural_heritage_during_the_Israeli_invasion_of_the_Gaza_Strip

    The Palestinian Ministry of Culture has published reports on the impact of the war on Gaza’s cultural heritage. As of February 2024, they report that 44 people involved with arts and culture were killed and around 200 historic buildings were damaged or destroyed, along with 12 museums and numerous cultural centres.

    The posted article also confirms this comparison.

    • Sop@lemmy.blahaj.zone
      75·
      15 days ago

      What a nonsensical comparison to make. There’s no denying the incomprehensible horrors Palestinians are put through by Israel. From carpet bombings, to denial of humanitarian aid to the killings of humanitarian workers and journalists. The Palestinian genocide is one of the most well documented genocides we’ve seen with literal confessions of Israeli politicians and lawmakers. There is no excuse for the support from European governmental bodies to Israel.