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Iraq: Looting

Answer

In 2003 the UK introduced the Iraq (United Nations) Sanctions Order in response to the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483. The order makes it an offence to deal in an item of Iraqi cultural property, if it was illegally removed from Iraq after 6 August 1990. The UK is also a signatory to the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. This places an obligation on the UK to prevent the import of items looted from Iraq's museums and assist the government of Iraq to secure their return. The Dealing in Cultural Objects (Offences) Act 2003 also helps strengthen the law in this respect as it makes it an offence to deal in tainted cultural objects. In addition, the Government have secured the assistance of the UK art trade in locating and identifying material looted from Iraq. My department has also provided funding to the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council for the creation of a website offering advice to anyone wishing to purchase art and antiquities, to help them avoid purchasing illegally traded cultural property www.culturalpropertyadvice.gov.uk. In September 2006, the Metropolitan Police formally returned to the Iraqi Government an 11th century manuscript and an ancient Aramaic incantation bowl, confiscated from illegal traders in 2003. The British Museum and others are working with museum colleagues and the British Army in Iraq on the protection of archaeological and other heritage sites and has, in the past, offered practical advice and assistance on the damage and scale of looting at the Iraqi Museum. The British Museum is also working with the British Army on its Operation Heritage Initiative which offers assistance to the Iraqis on the protection of cultural heritage.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

319; 706 c112-3WA

Session

2008-09

Subjects

Armed conflict Cultural heritage Iraq Museums and galleries Theft Iraq conflict

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk