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Rahimi Kharvana F. (2025). Preservation of Libraries and Archives in Times of War: International Principles and Global Lessons. Athar. 46(110), 149-169. doi:10.61882/Athar.2101.2149
URL: http://athar.richt.ir/article-2-2149-en.html

Abstract
This qualitative study, using inductive content analysis, traces patterns of cultural destruction from the 20th century to today. The 20th century proved the most ruinous for written heritage: over 15 million books in Poland (70–80%), 3.3 million volumes and 17,300 manuscripts in the former Yugoslavia, 30–50% of Iraq’s national collections, and most recently, at least 22 cultural institutions in Gaza were obliterated. Such losses were frequently components of ethnic and ideological purges, eradicating community identities. The international legal framework—the 1954 Hague Convention (with First and Second Protocols), 1970 and 1972 UNESCO Conventions, 1964 and 1968 Recommendations, 1994 Nara Document, and IFLA principles—offers protective tools but harbors critical flaws that neutralize them in wartime. The vague “military necessity” exemption, non-binding status of many instruments, disregard for digital heritage, dependence on state cooperation amid conflict, and absence of military training render enforcement unfeasible. Iran, holding immense manuscript treasures and facing high geopolitical risk, urgently needs a national documentary heritage crisis plan. Without proactive measures, wars will permanently erase national memory. Safeguarding documentary heritage is both a legal duty and an ethical imperative for civilization’s survival and sustainable development. Global experience proves only practical prevention works. This study proposes a four-stage preventive model: Preventive Phase: Training, digitization, dispersal. Alert Phase: Threat monitoring, transfer readiness. Active Conflict Phase: Emergency safeguarding, damage documentation. Post-War Phase: Reconstruction, identity restoration.
Keywords: Documentary Heritage, Libraries and Archives, Protection, Armed Conflict, Cultural Destruction.

Introduction
Documentary heritage, including libraries, archives and museums, constitutes the collective memory and cultural identity of nations. These resources not only preserve historical and legal documents, but also form the basis of knowledge and education for future generations. As representatives of the nation’s memory, national archives play a key role in writing history and strengthening national identity (Ryden, 2023).
Armed conflicts pose a serious threat to this heritage. UNESCO’s “Culture under Attack” exhibition showed that cultural institutions are targeted or collaterally destroyed in crises. The destruction of libraries goes beyond the loss of paper, severing a nation’s connection with its past, present and future (UNESCO, 2017). Deliberate and ideological attacks on cultural heritage erase the identity of societies and undermine their historical continuity in order to facilitate the domination of the occupier. This destruction, like the uprooting of an old tree, makes society vulnerable (Al-Houdalieh, 2025).
Systematic destruction of heritage is a recurring theme in history, from the ancient Library of Alexandria to the wars in the Balkans and the Middle East (Al-Houdalieh et al., 2024). Due to its geopolitical location, Iran has witnessed numerous wars from the Median era to the present day. One of the prominent incidents is the burning of the libraries of Iran and Alexandria by the Arab army, which had a profound negative impact on the global discourse of Islam (Oudi and Ramezani, 2008). Abu Raihan Biruni also mentioned the book burning in Khorezm in his “Athar al-Baqiyyah” (Biruni, 2010). Authentic historical documents confirm the occurrence of these incidents.
These events show that wars target historical memory in addition to human lives. Therefore, the need for strong international standards for protection in peace and war is essential. The key question is: should cultural heritage workers accept destruction as a reality or is there a way to prevent it? Current programs lack integration for severe war scenarios. The lack of a preventive and operational model based on the lessons of global crises has created a serious management gap. Therefore, it is essential to learn from historical experiences and develop and implement a comprehensive preventive model to save cultural treasures from destruction.

Discussion
This article examines the threats posed by armed conflict, focusing on documentary heritage (libraries, archives, and museum collections) as the lifeblood of collective memory. Using a qualitative approach and inductive content analysis, the author presents historical patterns of cultural destruction. Systematic destruction is prominent in the wars in the Balkans, Iraq, and most recently Gaza. For example, Riedlmayer’s report on the destruction of over 3.3 million volumes and 17,300 manuscripts in the former Yugoslavia (1991-1999) as an act of ethnic cleansing, Al-Tikriti and Johnson’s report on the looting and burning of the National Library (30-50% damage) and archives (60% of modern history) in Iraq, and librarians’ and archivists’ reports on the state of libraries in Gaza demonstrate the extent of destruction in libraries and the works they contain (Al-Tikriti, 2007).
The documents reviewed have weaknesses that make them ineffective in crisis situations. For example, in the latest example regarding Gaza, IFLA’s response to librarians and archivists was that the parties were as follows: “We call on all parties, as parties to the 1954 Hague Convention, to recognize their obligation under international law to take all possible measures to protect and respect all cultural property in the region. As an organization rooted in the realization of human rights, we call for respect for international humanitarian law and the protection and safety of civilians, journalists and cultural heritage. Only through respect for our common humanity can lasting peace be achieved.” (IFLA,2023)
A checklist of practical measures for the protection of libraries and archives in times of war
Based on the 1954 Hague Convention, IFLA Principles, UNESCO, Blue Shield, and global lessons, a checklist of necessary measures can be considered in the preventive, warning, active conflict, and post-war phases.
1. Preventive phase (peace or imminent threat)
4. Post-war phase (reconstruction)
3. Active conflict phase
2. Warning phase (imminent war or limited attacks)

Conclusion 
The 20th century was the most devastating period for written heritage; a UNESCO report (1996) documented over 100 destructions from Leuven (1914) to China (1966-76) and Cambodia (1976-79). Poland lost 15 million volumes (70-80%) in WWII. Yugoslavia (1991-99) destroyed 3.3 million books and 17,300 manuscripts in ethnic cleansing (Riedelmeyer). Iraq 2003: 30-50% of national collections and 60% of archives looted/burned (Al-Tikriti, 2007).
In Gaza (2023-24) 22 institutions damaged, central archive (150 years of documents) destroyed, 30,000 books looted; 6 librarians killed. These destructions are ideological, culturally genocidal and identity-eradicating.
International principles provide a legal framework but are weak. The Hague Convention of 1954 (with protocols) requires general/superior protection, marking and criminalization; Iran acceded in 2000. The Convention of 1972 protects world sites, 1970 prohibits trafficking in manuscripts. The Recommendations of 1964 (prevention of trafficking) and 1968 (preventive protection) are non-binding. The Nara document prioritizes authenticity and diversity. IFLA (2023) condemns conflict, emphasizes neutrality, professionalism and cooperation with UNESCO/Blue Shield; the PERSIST program promotes digital preservation. Weaknesses: ambiguity of “military necessity”, digital neglect, IFLA’s neutrality (e.g. calls for respect for the law in Gaza). Lessons emphasize practical prevention; pre-war evacuation (Poland 1939) saved precious works. The proposed model has four stages: preventive (cataloging, digitization), warning (risk monitoring), conflict (shelter-building), post-war (reconstruction). Iran, with its manuscript treasures and high-risk situation, should develop a national model: while focusing on the principles of international documents such as The Hague/IFLA in the laws, it should prioritize military training, budget for digitization of documentary heritage, Blue Shield cooperation, and develop the aforementioned four-stage proactive model for itself.
The preservation of documentary heritage is a legal-moral obligation for the survival of civilization. Qualitative research showed that destruction beyond the physical cuts off a nation’s connection to the past. From Alexandria to Gaza, wars have targeted identity. Existing principles are not enough; practical prevention, global cooperation, and historical lessons are essential to preserve heritage as an artery of sustainable development and peace and prevent tragedies from recurring.