UNESCO places Babyn Yar Memorial under enhanced protection

Symbolic synagogue at Babyn Yar. Photo: Obozrevatel

UNESCO has added the National Historical and Memorial Reserve "Babyn Yar" and the Odesa Literary Museum to the International List of Cultural Properties Under Enhanced Protection. This was reported by Ukraine's Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications.

With this addition, 25 Ukrainian cultural heritage sites are now on the list. During the latest session of the UNESCO Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, participants supported Ukraine's initiative and included two more significant sites.

The National Historical and Memorial Reserve "Babyn Yar" was established to honor the memory of the victims of mass shootings carried out by the Nazis during World War II. Among those killed at Babyn Yar were numerous Jews and other civilians.

As previously reported by the UOJ, in 2016, the Ukrainian parliament approved recommendations to support the Babyn Yar Reserve, including the organization of annual events in memory of the tragedy.

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