ENDANGERMENT AND PROTECTION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE IN CASES OF ARMED CONFLICTS

Abstract

The cultural heritage not only presents the basis of the national and cultural identity of a people, but rather a part of the world's cultural heritage. It is due to this that its protection has an immense bearing upon the state it belongs to, as much as upon the entire international community. Being familiar with the national system for protecting the cultural heritage is a crucial for a proper approach towards the cultural heritage of one's country. However, in cases of armed conflicts, the cultural heritage of other parties involved in the conflict is to be respected. It is for this reason that preparations are to be done in peacetime conditions, above all by strengthening the awareness (of the people as much as of the armed forces) for the need of respect and protection of the cultural heritage through respecting the international legal regulative for protection of cultural heritage during war actions.