March 30, 2012
Why Britain should back the world ban on artefact looting
For reasons that are unclear to me, Britain has never ratified the 1954 Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. This is despite declaring in 2004 that they would ratify the convention. The only reason I have ever been given was that it conflicted in some places with existing laws in Britain, that would need to be amended first.
From:
Independent
Letters: Back the world ban on looting
Friday 30 March 2012The March 2003 invasion of Iraq by a coalition led by the US and the UK failed to prevent the immediate and appalling looting of museums, libraries, archives and art galleries, followed by years of looting of archaeological sites across the country.
On 14 May 2004, the UK Government announced its intention to ratify the 1954 Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, and its protocols of 1954 and 1999. Today, on the ninth anniversary of the invasion, it has still to honour this commitment. This is despite all-party support for ratification and recently reiterated support for ratification from the Ministry of Defence, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The USA ratified the Convention in 2009. This leaves the UK as arguably the most significant military power, and certainly the only power with extensive military involvements abroad, not to have ratified it.
The Secretary of State at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (the ministry responsible for the issue) has recently informed us of his determination to find parliamentary time to pass the necessary legislation to enable the UK to ratify the Convention and its protocols. We applaud this initiative and urge the Government to support the Secretary of State and to pass the legislation before we reach the tenth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.Peter Stone
Professor of Heritage Studies, Newcastle UniversityNick Poole
Chair, International Council of Museums UKMargaret Greeves
Chair, Collections TrustProfessor Sir Adam Roberts
President of the British AcademySir Simon Jenkins
Chair, National TrustJohn S C Lewis
General Secretary and CEO, Society of AntiquariesJohn Dolan
Chair of Council, The Chartered Institute of Library and Information ProfessionalsMartin Taylor
Chair, Archives and Records Association (UK & Ireland)Sue Cole
UK & Ireland Committee of the Blue ShieldDr Mike Heyworth
Director, Council for British ArchaeologyPeter Hinton
Chief Executive, Institute for ArchaeologistsMark Taylor
Director, Museums AssociationDr Eleanor Robson
Incoming Chair, British Institute for the Study of IraqMike Williams
Secretary, the Nautical Archaeology SocietyJane Sillis
Director, Engage
- UK to ratify 1954 Hague Convention on Cultural Property : June 21, 2015
- Would Britain stop modern day Monuments Men? : March 4, 2014
- Meeting in Athens of committees for the return of the Parthenon Sculptures : November 24, 2005
- When will UK ratify 1954 Hague Convention on stolen art? : April 15, 2014
- Could House of Lords push UK to ratify 1954 Hague Convention : January 26, 2016
- Seminar on War & Cultural Heritage : May 26, 2005
- British government warns museums not to acquire looted artefacts : November 5, 2005
- Why there should be a ban on trading Iraqi antiquities : May 6, 2008