Baku: The Azerbaijani Parliament has introduced legal definitions for the terms “damaging cultural assets” and “destroying cultural assets” in a proposed amendment to the ‘Law on Culture’. This development was discussed in a joint session of the Parliamentary Committees on Law Policy and State Building and on Culture.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the amendment specifies that a “creative person” is an individual involved in creating cultural assets, which includes pedagogical or scientific-research activities in the cultural sector. The amendment further delineates “damaging cultural assets” as illegal actions that partially compromise the historical and cultural value of these assets, alter their artistic appearance, or distort their original condition, thereby rendering them partially unfit. Conversely, “destroying cultural assets” is defined as illegal acts resulting in the total loss of value or complete unfitness of cultural assets, making recovery impossible.
The state ensures the protection of cultural assets through measures such as preventive actions, conservation, restoration, and the application of special protection levels. The amendment prohibits damaging or destroying state-protected cultural assets, moving them without proper authorization, or engaging in construction or restoration activities that could threaten their integrity.
The draft emphasizes adherence to Article 39.2 of the Law, which prohibits dismantling, destroying, or altering cultural assets without official consent and outlines procedures for their protection. These measures are aimed at safeguarding Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage from unlawful interventions that could compromise their preservation.