World Jewish Congress The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has begun investigating plans to raze the only synagogue in Tajikistan and has warned the government of that country that if it proceeds it would be in violation of its international commitments. In a letter to Bobby Brown, Director of International Affairs of the World Jewish Congress, the Office of the Director General for Culture of UNESCO stated that the UNESCO Secretariat has brought the issue of the synagogue to the attention of the relevant authorities of Tajikistan, who have been informed that, should these allegations be confirmed, such an act would be in contradiction with existing international standards for the protections of cultural heritage. Earlier, the WJC requested that UNESCO intervene with the government of Tajikistan to cancel its plans to tear down the 100-year old sanctuary, the only place of worship for the Jewish community, which numbers approximately 500 individuals. The revelation of that scheme precipitated a worldwide campaign by the WJC to prevent the destruction of the synagogue.
This represents an important milestone in the struggle said Brown. We can only hope that this intervention by a UN body that has traditionally been indifferent toward the Jewish people signals a new approach. The WJC is gratified by the UNESCO intervention and believes that the world body may now act to prevent the destruction of other endangered Jewish heritage sites. Tajikistan is a party to the UN Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and National Heritage, and as such, it is bound to ensure the protection, conservation and the transmission of cultural and natural heritage to future generations in its territory said Brown. We hope that the tradition of harmony between Jews and Muslims in that country will continue. It is important to underline that this is not a case of antisemitism, but rather insensitivity. BPI-info
