CULTURAL PROPERTY THEFT: UNESCO And INTERPOL To Open Virtual Museum by 2025

Edna Ezinneamaka
Edna Ezinneamaka

 

By Edna Ezinneamaka Onunaku

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in cooperation with the International Police (INTERPOL) is geared towards opening a virtual museum of stolen cultural properties by the year 2025.

The Director-General of UNESCO, Ms Audrey Azoulay, announced this in a message today, 14 November 2022, on the occasion of the International Day against Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property.

Ms Azoulay said it  will  serve  as  an educational tool, so that citizens can find out about the history of the works, and as a research tool on the provenance of items of uncertain origin. She revealed that there is an ongoing training of  law enforcement, judicial actors and museum professionals for this purpose, and that by the end of the year, nearly 100 professionals in 23 African countries would have been trained.

“In  addition,  in  consultation  with  the  art  market,  we  are  conducting  a  review  of  the  International Code of Ethics for Dealers in Cultural Property, as their role is essential in the establishment of more rigorous acquisition policies and ethical rules,” she stated.

Azoulay noted that “although the theft of such famous paintings as Van Gogh’s The Parsonage Garden at Nuenen in Spring in 2020, and Munch’s The Scream in 2004, had a significant impact on the general public, they represent only a tiny fraction of what constitutes trafficking in cultural property,” adding that “the trade in the shadows is growing on the back of crises and conflicts and is branching out online.”

She, therefore, calls on everyone to be more vigilant in the face of the increase in trafficking, adding that it is time to abolish the scourge.

Leave your vote

Share This Article
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Log In

Forgot password?

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Log in

Privacy Policy

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.