Illicit Trafficking
Legal & Organizations
Illicit Trafficking
Legal & OrganizationsThe illegal trade, smuggling, or sale of cultural objects, which often involves artifacts being stolen from museums, looted from archaeological sites, or illegally exported from their country of origin. Illicit trafficking deprives communities of their heritage and is often linked with organized crime. Combating it requires international cooperation, laws like the UNESCO 1970 Convention, law enforcement efforts, and due diligence by collectors and dealers to ensure items have legal provenance.
Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM
Import Restriction
Legal & Organizations
Import Restriction
Legal & OrganizationsA legal measure by which a country prohibits or limits the import of certain cultural materials, usually to combat illicit trade. For instance, a nation might enforce import restrictions on archaeological artifacts from a country that has suffered major looting, honoring international agreements (like the UNESCO 1970 Convention) to help return stolen items and discourage smuggling by making it harder to find a market.
Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM
UNESCO 1970 Convention
Legal & Organizations
UNESCO 1970 Convention
Legal & OrganizationsUNESCO 1970 Convention relates to the legal, institutional, or policy frameworks that govern heritage protection and emergency action. It clarifies responsibilities, permissible actions, and cooperation across jurisdictions and organizations.
Source: UNESCO, Hague Convention, UNIDROIT, ICOM
