United Nations boosts Global fight Against Illegal trade in Cultural Artefacts

By that text, adopted without a vote, the Assembly expressed grave concern regarding collections of cultural artefacts, objets d’art, monuments, museum pieces, manuscripts and documents illegally removed before the entry into force of the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. It called on Member States to develop appropriate legal frameworks to protect such cultural property, underscoring the work of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in combating the trafficking of items.

“It's significantly important for all of us to realize that protecting people's lives will always remain the highest priority, but respect for the people's cultural identity is also crucial,” said Greece’s delegate, as he introduced the text.  It is essential to abide by rules protecting cultural property, as it symbolizes human life itself.

Yemen’s speaker stressed the need to protect cultural property in regions of armed conflict.  “Yemen’s civilizational and cultural heritage is facing serious challenges owing to the conflict and the criminal activities perpetrated by terrorist Houthi militias,” he said.  These militias have targeted museums, looted manuscripts and smuggled cultural heritage in a systematic manner.  The international community must respond to end such crimes.

The representative of Cyprus noted her country’s “long and painful history of foreign invasions and occupations, pillaging and conquest” that led to the destruction and looting of its cultural heritage of historical, archaeological and religious significance.  In the past five decades alone, approximately 60,000 cultural items have been illegally exported from Cyprus and an estimated 20,000 remain missing.

“We are living in a crucial moment in which every restitution effort contributes to combatting illicit trafficking of cultural goods, protecting the living testimonies of civilizations that have stood the test of time,” observed the representative of Sao Tome and Principe, on behalf of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries.  Therefore, returning such artefacts is an opportunity to foster reconciliation and strengthen ties between nations.  He called on States to develop robust legal frameworks to combat this phenomenon and to place emphasis on efforts to return said goods to their countries of origin.

Türkiye’s speaker condemned the “brutal obliteration of archaeological sites, museums, places of worship and other religious places and books and manuscripts which are irreplaceable treasures of humankind”. He said his country has reinforced all necessary measures to prevent the illegal transfer of historical artefacts from their country of origin, including conducting import control operations along its south and south-east borders.

Pleased that this phenomenon which has been on the Assembly’s agenda for over 50 years is “gaining visibility”, Egypt’s delegate underscored the need for enhanced international cooperation for the return of all cultural property, especially those acquired through illegal means.  He called for “taking all the measures” including market control, monitoring of auctions and implementing the related 1970 convention.  Welcoming the Pact for the Future’s commitment in this regard, he called for its “swift implementation” to rectify past injustices “that have left countries and their peoples unable to fully enjoy their rights and celebrate their culture”.

Burundi’s speaker said every nation’s cultural heritage “represents the spirit of a people, its collective memory and its history”. Noting that the pillaging of cultural property is not limited to one country or region but a global problem affecting communities around the world, particularly in conflict zones, he said the return of such artefacts is not only a matter of material restitution but also one of justice, dignity and recognizing people’s rights to their own heritage.  On efforts to combat this phenomenon, “raising awareness as to the importance of preserving heritage, respecting ethical standards and ensuring transparency on the art market must be priorities,” he said.