Ukraine to Be World's First to Apply UNESCO's Ad Hoc Monitoring Mechanism

The House of State Industry in Kharkiv, which was heavily damaged by a Russian strike on 8 November, will be subject to UNESCO's ad hoc monitoring mechanism on an emergency basis, the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine reports on its website.

The decision was made by the UNESCO Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

Thus, Ukraine will become the first country to apply this mechanism. This will allow to properly record the damage to the site, coordinate measures to restore the monument, and have evidence to further prosecute Russian war criminals.

A powerful explosion in the House of State Industry caused by a Russian strike collapsed the ceilings of the third and second floors, as well as part of the facade and roof. The blast wave also damaged the structures of other entrances.

The building has been on the International List of Cultural Property under enhanced protection since 7 September 2023.

Commenting on the Committee's decision, Mykola Tochytskyi, Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications, said that ‘while Russia continues to target cultural heritage sites, disregarding the norms of international humanitarian law, Ukraine is stepping up its efforts to use UNESCO mechanisms to maximise the protection and preservation of cultural property in times of war’.

The minister expressed confidence that the results of the ‘special monitoring’ mission will help to record the destruction and send the findings to the International Criminal Court.