Decision: 44 COM 7A.16
The World Heritage Committee,
- Having considered Document WHC/21/44.COM/7A.Add.2 and the annex attached to this decision,
- Recalling Decisions 42 COM 7A.28, and 43 COM 7A 29, adopted at its 42nd (Manama, 2018) and 43rd (Baku, 2019) sessions respectively,
- Decides that the status of Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town relating to the World Heritage List remains unchanged as reflected in Decision 41 COM 8B.1 of the World Heritage Committee.
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ANNEX
The World Heritage Committee
44th session of the Committee (44 COM)
- Having considered Document WHC/21/44.COM/7A.Add.2,
- Recalling Decision 41 COM 8B.1, adopted at its 41st session (Krakow, 2017), which did not include a SOUV, and noting that in compliance with Paragraph 154 of the Operational Guidelines, when deciding to inscribe a property on the World Heritage List, guided by the Advisory Bodies, the Committee adopts a Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (SOUV) for the property,
- Taking note of a preliminary proposed SOUV contained in the state of conservation report submitted by the State Party,
- Takes note of the consultations held between experts from UNESCO, the State Party and the Advisory Bodies, to discuss the proposed Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (SOUV), the proposed Desired state of conservation for the removal of the property from the List of World Heritage in Danger (DSOCR), and the related corrective measures, as well as the proposed Management and Conservation Plan for the property, and invites the State Party to continue its efforts to finalize the above documents;
- Decides to consider the examination of a draft SOUV for the property at its 45th session in 2022;
- Deplores the ongoing Israeli excavations, works, construction of private roads for settlers and of a Wall inside the Old City of Al-Khalil/Hebron which are illegal under international law and harmfully affect the authenticity and integrity of the site, and the subsequent denial of freedom of movement and freedom of access to places of worship, and asks Israel, the occupying Power, to end all violations which are not in conformity with the provisions of relevant UNESCO conventions, resolutions and decisions, and also takes note of reports regarding new planned projects including an electric elevator;
- Commends the State Party for the actions which are being taken to conserve significant attributes of the property;
- Requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, for review by the Advisory Bodies, detailed information on current conservation and development projects, particularly projects which have potential adverse impact on heritage, in accordance with Paragraph 172 of the Operational Guidelines;
- Also requests the State Party to submit to the World Heritage Centre, by 1 February 2022, an updated report on the state of conservation of the property and the implementation of the above, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 45th session in 2022;
- Also decides to retain Hebron/Al-Khalil Old Town (Palestine) on the List of World Heritage in Danger.