The UN General Assembly has approved a resolution condemning the destruction of Second World War monuments. The document, initiated by Russia, also calls for tougher punishments for spreading neo-Nazism.
The document drew the support of 127 countries. While 54 delegations abstained, the US voted, against saying the resolution questions freedom of expression.
This comes as Georgia is tearing down a monument dedicated to Soviet heroes of the Second World War in the city of Kutaisi, where they want to construct a parliamentary building.
In 2007 Estonia sparked outrage by removing a similar monument – the Bronze Soldier – in the capital Tallinn.
This year, for the first time, a special rapporteur presented the General Assembly recommendations concerning this problem.