A/71/317 destruction of significant cultural and religious sites to changes made to the name of places and their marginalization in the context of the history of the country (BHR 6/2015); 24 the situation of the Baha’i in the Islamic Republic of Iran who have experienced repeated destruction of their cemeteries and places of cultural and religious significance (IRN 14/2016); and what appears to be the systematic destruction in Saudi Arabia of mosques, graves and shrines, houses and pla ces of religious, historical and cultural significance deemed incompatible with the current Wahhabi interpretation of Islam (SAU 7/2015). 25 39. Those attacks, which had a profound effect on the local populations, are just a few examples. There are also reports in various regions of attacks by States and non-State actors. In many submissions received by the Special Rapporteur, which concern sites in Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic, as well as the larger region of the Middle East and Northern Africa, there are reports, for example, on the destruction of Coptic churches and monasteries in Egypt, Jewish sites in Tunisia and hundreds of shrines belonging to the Sufi sect of Islam across Northern Africa. 26 40. Submissions also relate to other parts of the world. The Special Rapporteur notes with particular interest the concerns raised by Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Serbia (which she plans to visit in October 2016) and submissions alleging destruction of mosques and churches in India 27 and large-scale looting in Afghanistan. 28 She notes that she is available to address these issues in the future. 41. States, as well as a range of non-State actors, may bear responsibility for such acts. Sometimes actions of States and non-State actors affect the same site in succession, as has been alleged to be the case in Palmyra, for example. 29 42. In the region of the Middle East and Northern Africa, in West Africa and beyond, many fundamentalist groups are reported to be actively involved in ideologically motivated destruction, which is often openly proclaimed, and for which attempts at justification are made on religious grounds. These groups include Da’esh, Al-Qaida (and its various branches and affiliates), Jabhat Al -Nusra, Jabhat Ansar al-Din, Jaish al-Fateh and Boko Haram, in addition to numerous civilian militias. 30 Some of the States in the regions witnessing acts of intentional destruction, which have been brought to the attention of the Special Rapporteur, themselves espouse fundamentalist ideologies. Putting an end to these forms of destruction requires tackling the fundamentalist ideology motivating them, in accordance with international human rights standards, in particular through education on the subjects of cultural rights, diversity and heritage. __________________ 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 12/24 The Special Rapporteur takes note of the State’s response (A/HRC/32/53) and is available to further engage with it on this matter. The Special Rapporteur hopes to receive, in a timely manner, a more substantial response from the authorities (A/HRC/31/79). Submission of EAMENA. For a regional overview, see Heghnar Watenpaugh, “Cultural heritage and the Arab Spring: war over culture, culture of war and culture war ”, International Journal of Islamic Architecture, vol. 5, No. 2 (2016), pp. 245-263. Submission of Ram Puniyani. Submission of United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) -Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Afghanistan. The Special Rapporteur notes the submissions of EAMENA and the Russian Federation. See also A/HRC/25/65, para. 116. Submission of EAMENA. 16-13742