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Artsakh State University has become yet another victim of Azerbaijan’s cultural genocide against Armenian heritage, Cultural Ombudsman of Hayk Hovik Avanesov reports.

“The Azerbaijani regime continues to erase the Armenian traces in occupied Artsakh. With its policy, Azerbaijan has become a symbol of vandalism, surpassing all barbaric tribes that existed throughout the history of mankind,” he posted on social media on Wednesday.

“Artsakh State University has recently become yet another victim of the cultural genocide committed by Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani media reports clearly indicate that the appearance of the university building will be changed. Evidently, Azerbaijan will wipe off the Armenian traces there under the guise of construction works in line with its worksite.

“Especially the memorial complex paying tribute to the university students who fell defending the homeland is under threat,” Avanesov stated.

The expert highlights that Article 4 of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict prohibits any form of theft, pillage or misappropriation of, and any acts of vandalism directed against, cultural property.

Furthermore, the first Hague Protocol of 1954 explicitly forbids the destruction of cultural or spiritual values in occupied territories.