Given the evolution of recent events in Afghanistan, UNESCO, a United Nations organization that watches over the countries' right to education, science and culture, issued a statement calling for the protection of the historical-cultural heritage of the Afghans.

This is because of the Taliban there are several records in the United Nations of having participated in the destruction of cultural property. An example of this was when in 2001 the Taliban destroyed the Buddhas of Bamiyan, two monumental statues from the 6th century that had been carved into a cliff in the Bamiyan Valley in Afghanistan and had been listed as a world heritage site.

Audrey Azolay, Director General of UNESCO, issued the following statement:

“I call for the preservation of the cultural heritage of Afghanistan in all its diversity, in full respect of international law, and that all necessary precautions be taken to protect the cultural heritage from damage and looting.”

Azolay also stressed that "any damage or loss of cultural heritage will only have adverse consequences on the prospects for lasting peace and humanitarian aid for the people of Afghanistan."

For its part, the National Museum of Kabul expressed in a statement on August 15 its concern about the threat of being looted after the panic that was generated in the city: "The city of Kabul has witnessed unprecedented chaos (...) The The continuation of this chaotic situation raises enormous concerns about the security of the museum's artifacts and assets.”

In the cultural heritage of Afghanistan are sites such as the Old City of Herat, the Minaret and archaeological remains of Jam, and the cultural landscape and archaeological remains of the Bamiyan Valley, as well as the National Museum of Kabul.

Source: ArtNews and UNESCO.