Illicit Traffic of Cultural Property
© Comando Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio Culturale
Coin returned to Bulgaria
In addition to a vigorous lawful trade, which contributes to the appreciation of various forms of art and varieties of cultural expressions, an international illicit traffic is steadily growing.
Theft, looting, illicit importation and exportation of cultural property are well-known practices, which touch first and foremost archaeological sites, religious edifices, cultural institutions and museums as well as public and private collections in the worldwide.
Enhancing the protection of cultural objects, the fight against illicit trafficking in them, and the development of museums, particularly in developing countries. Activities include the illicit traffic reduction and prevention in South East Europe
Normative Action
To better fight such phenomenon, multilateral treaties have been elaborated:
- Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (1954) and its two protocols (1954 and 1999)
- UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property(1970)
- UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects (1995)
- Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage (2001)
- Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003)
- Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005)
An information note has been prepared to facilitate the understanding of the complimentarity between and the functioning of the 1970 UNESCO Convention and the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention - More
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