UNESCO Database of National Cultural Heritage Laws
In 2003, UNESCO devised an international solution to combat the illicit traffic of cultural property: the UNESCO Database of National Cultural Heritage Laws.
By compiling on the Internet the national laws of its Member States, UNESCO offers all stakeholders involved (Governments, customs officials, art dealers, organizations, lawyers, buyers and so forth) a complete and easily accessible source of information. In the event of a legal question about the origin of an object (which may have been stolen, pillaged, or illegally exported, imported or acquired), it is useful to have rapid access to the relevant national laws.
Key Numbers
- National laws related to cultural heritage (in their original language, along with an official or unofficial English translation, if available).
- Import/export procedures and sample certificates (available upon request).
- Contact details for national authorities responsible for cultural heritage protection.
- Official cultural heritage website addresses for countries that have provided their national laws.
- Law- and policy-making institutions (states, other governments, and international intergovernmental organizations).
- Institutions preserving and promoting cultural heritage (museums and cultural heritage organizations).
- Law enforcement bodies.
- Research centers and researchers (universities, scholars, archaeologists, students, and legal experts).
- The global market in antiquities and other cultural property (dealers, importers, exporters, and collectors).
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Testimonials
INTERPOL welcomes the creation of UNESCO's Database of National Cultural Heritage Laws and its user-friendly online access. For the international law enforcement community, this database constitutes an important and useful tool that helps speed up investigations on an international level and makes international cooperation more effective. That is why INTERPOL recommends that its 187 member countries contribute to UNESCO's cultural heritage laws database and regularly update its information.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) and UNESCO have been working together for many years in the fight against the trafficking of cultural property. The efforts made by UNESCO in developing the Database of National Cultural Heritage Laws represent a significant step forward in raising public awareness about the need to protect our cultural heritage. The Database is, moreover, a fundamental tool for customs and law enforcement agencies engaged in the fight against crimes involving cultural property.
Les informations contenues dans la base de données CultNatLaws sont recueillies à partir des données fournies par les États membres de l'UNESCO. Ces informations ont pour objectif de présenter le cadre juridique de chaque État membre relatif à la protection du patrimoine culturel.
L’UNESCO ne peut garantir l’exactitude et l'exhaustivité des informations fournies, en dépit de tous les efforts raisonnables fournis en ce sens. En conséquence, l'UNESCO décline toute responsabilité en cas de perte, dommage ou autre conséquence résultant directement ou indirectement de l’utilisation des informations contenues dans la base de données NATLAWS.
Il convient de rappeler aux utilisateurs que les cadres juridiques nationaux sont susceptibles d’être modifiés ou abrogés à tout moment. Il leur incombe ainsi de vérifier les dispositions légales et les exigences réglementaires en vigueur avant d'entreprendre toute acquisition, importation, exportation, commerce ou transfert de propriété de biens culturels.
The information contained in the CultNatLaws database are based on data supplied by UNESCO Member States. The purpose of these information is to present the legal framework of each Member State relating to the protection of cultural heritage.
Despite all reasonable efforts, UNESCO can not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of the information provided. Consequently, UNESCO declines all responsibility for any loss, damage or other consequence resulting directly or indirectly from the use of the information contained in the NATLAWS database.
Users are reminded that national legal frameworks may be amended or repealed at any time. It is therefore their responsibility to check the legal provisions and regulatory requirements in force before undertaking any acquisition, import, export, trade or transfer of ownership of cultural property.