ISLAMABAD: International Day against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property was observed on Monday across the globe to remind the world about combating the crimes related to theft, looting, and illicit trafficking of cultural property takes place in every country.
Various programs related to the day were organized at both public and private levels to create awareness about the importance of cultural properties for a nation.
Illicit trafficking, theft, or looting of cultural property is a severe crime and deprives the nation of its precious cultural heritage.
The cultural heritage of any country reflects its tradition, norms, and history, which has great significance in transferring it to the next generations.
Illicitly traded cultural property is often transferred through illicit markets worldwide or licit markets such as auctions, including through the Internet.
People, governments, the art market, and institutions can do their part to fight this by raising awareness, being informed and ethical when buying and selling art and cultural objects, enacting and respecting laws, and protecting cultural heritage and property.
UNESCO first adopted November 14 as the International Day against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property during its 40th General Conference in 2019.
The day was celebrated to draw more attention of the world towards the illicit crime related to the trade of cultural property and the ways to combat it.
The day also highlighted the importance of international cooperation and proactive measures through the convention prohibiting and preventing the illicit import, export, and transfer of ownership of cultural property (1970).
This convention, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020, provides an international framework for the prevention of theft and looting and the return and restitution of stolen cultural property in parallel with other advances in the fight against illicit trafficking.
Every buyer must comply with the required due diligence when verifying the provenance of cultural property acquired to end the illicit trafficking of cultural property. APP
