UNESCO reminded that Hagia Sophia, part of the property “Historic Areas of Istanbul,” is inscribed on the World Heritage List as a museum, adding that this inscription entails a number of legal commitments and obligations.

“Thus, a State must ensure that no modification is made to the outstanding universal value of the property inscribed on its territory,” UNESCO said, underlining that any modification requires prior notification by the State concerned to UNESCO and then, if necessary, examination by the World Heritage Committee.

Last week, Turkey’s Council of State decided the 1934 cabinet decision to turn Hagia Sophia into a museum contravenes the law, paving the way for converting it to mosque again.

ILKHA