Remains of the Buddhas of Bamyan

The pre-Islamic Buddha statues in Bamyan have been preserved as a national patrimony by successive Governments in Afghanistan for 14 centuries, but were destroyed under the Taliban rule in March 2001. Since then the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) adopted a Declaration concerning the Intentional Destruction of Cultural Heritage and placed the remains of the statues and surrounding areas on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
An Afghan National Police (ANP) officer stands guard in front of the remains of one of the Buddhas of Bamyan, which was built durng the sixth century, and destroyed under Taliban rule.