The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) condemns the attacks targeting heritage and educational sites during the ongoing war, calling on the international community to intervene to safeguard the testimonies of civilization and human values in the conflict zone, which includes several of the Organization’s Member States, affirming that these are a right of future generations.

The statement read as follows:
As the tragic situation worsens due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, and as the signs of destruction steadily increase, affecting, regrettably, civilian objects that international laws and norms prohibit targeting, and whose violation constitutes war crimes under international criminal law, human rights instruments, and various international agreements.

ICESCO expresses deep sorrow over the systematic assault on educational, health, and cultural institutions. The aggression has extended to historic treasures and civilizational monuments that, for thousands of years, remained untouched by attacks or acts of vengeance. This confirms that humanity, throughout history, has distinguished between military objectives that may be subject to attack and civilian objects and historical monuments that command universal respect and are spared from destruction or sabotage.

In line with its responsibilities toward these human domains in their educational, health, and cultural dimensions, ICESCO condemns such acts of targeting, which are entirely inconsistent with civilizational values. The Organization urges all relevant international bodies and institutions to adopt the same stance, which history will record as fulfilling the duty of preventing this pattern of aggression against the testimonies of civilization and human values.