FYI... (source here-> http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=82&id_news=106 )
The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia sentences a former Yugoslav General, among other things, for the destruction of and damage to the World Heritage site of the Old Town of Dubrovnik
01 February 2005
On 31 January 2005, the Trial Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia sentenced retired General Pavle Strugar of the Yugoslav Peoples’ Army to eight years in prison for war crimes perpetrated in 1991. He has been found guilty of war crimes against the civilian population and, under Article 3(d) of the Tribunal’s Statute, of the destruction of and wilful damage to a number of historical and cultural sites located in the Old Town of Dubrovnik, in Croatia, a site inscribed on the List of World Heritage since 1979. This Judgement illustrates clearly how destruction of, and damage to, world heritage sites under the 1972 UNESCO Convention can be sanctioned under international humanitarian law.
Damaged by the armed conflict of the 1990s, the Old City of Dubrovnik became the focus of a major restoration programme co-ordinated by UNESCO. In 1991, the city was immediately included on the List of World Heritage in Danger in order to draw international attention to the situation and carry out the necessary emergency protection measures. With UNESCO providing technical advice and financial assistance, the Croatian Government restored the facades of the Franciscan and Dominican cloisters, repaired roofs and rebuilt palaces. As a result, in December 1998, it became possible to remove the city from the List of World Heritage in Danger.
Today, the World Heritage Centre continues to provide international assistance to the site, most recently by financing two meetings of the Consultative Council of Experts for the Restoration of Dubrovnik.
The judgements and Press Releases of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia can be consulted at the following address: www.un.org/icty
and.. (http://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=166)
World Heritage Committee
Actions
The World Heritage Committee is the statutory body responsible for decision-making on all matters related to the implementation of the World Heritage Convention.
It meets once a year, in June, to:
*
Select new properties for the World Heritage List from among the cultural and natural properties nominated by the different countries. The Committee is assisted by the Advisory bodies .
* Examine reports on the state of conservation of listed properties and ask the States Parties to take action when properties are not being properly managed.
* Allocate finances of the World Heritage Fund for properties in need of repair or restoration; for emergency action if properties are in immediate danger; for providing technical assistance and training; and for promotional and educational activities.
Structure
The Committee consists of representatives from 21 States Parties, elected by the General Assembly of the States Parties to the World Heritage Convention.
The Committee elects the Chairperson, the Rapporteur and five Vice-Chairpersons. At its first session, the Committee adopted its Rules of Procedure of the World Heritage Committee , subsequently amended at its 2nd, 3rd, 20th, 24th and 25th ordinary sessions and 6th extraordinary session.
The Chairperson
The Chairperson chairs the sessions of the Committee and represents the Committee for a period of one year. The Chairperson also has the authority to approve requests for preparatory assistance (maximum US$ 15,000), for training and technical cooperation up to US$ 20,000 and for emergency assistance up to US$ 50,000.