The International Council on Archives wishes to express its solidarity with Ukrainian archives and records professionals during this difficult time. The ICA calls on the Government of Russia to not harm any documentary or cultural heritage professionals that remain in country, as well as refrain from destroying documentary and cultural heritage in respect of the 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.
The ICA is working closely with the national archives in the neighbouring countries of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia to monitor this fast-moving situation and provide what assistance it can to colleagues on the ground and to safeguard at risk archives.
Archives are irreplaceable cultural heritage and must be protected, along with the dedicated personnel who understand their importance, organization, and use.