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UNESCO Hosts Regional Workshop on Combating Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property in South Asia
Chennai, India, December 11-12, 2024 – UNESCO led a critical initiative to address the illicit trafficking of cultural property in South Asia with the successful conclusion of the Consultative Regional Workshop on Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property: Addressing the Gaps and Challenges. The two-day event brought together government officials, archaeologists, museum experts, and customs officials from Bhutan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka to discuss the pressing issues surrounding the theft and illegal trade of cultural artefacts in the region.
The workshop aimed to identify gaps in the implementation of national legislation and propose actionable recommendations for its enhancement. Key discussions centred on the looting of Sites and Monuments, addressing the challenges posed by digital platforms facilitating the trade of stolen artefacts and strengthening collaboration among South Asian nations to combat these crimes effectively.
It is important to understand the root causes and conduct a thorough need assessment to develop effective strategies to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property in the region.
This Regional Consultative Workshop has been very helpful and given us the opportunity to discuss the issue of illicit trafficking of cultural property with the stakeholders in South Asia, understand the challenges we are facing and how we can overcome them.
The participating nations shared about their current legislative measures and its effectiveness in combating illicit cultural property trafficking. This exchange of knowledge fostered a deeper understanding of diverse legal approaches, enabling collaborative efforts to improve the implementation of cultural heritage protection laws. Participants also gained critical insights into the broader implications of cultural property trafficking, including its connections to organized crime, terrorism, corruption, and money laundering. They were introduced to key resources such as the NatLaws Database for judicial and law enforcement use, and UNESCO’s model certificates, which support member states in their efforts to combat trafficking.
Key discussions addressed significant challenges, including the looting of heritage sites, the role of digital platforms in facilitating the trade of stolen artefacts, and the urgent need for enhanced regional cooperation. Collaborative sessions led to the proposal of several strategies to strengthen law enforcement, such as maintaining detailed records of cultural properties, real-time cross-border data sharing, and engaging local communities in the protection of cultural heritage.
The workshop underscored UNESCO’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding South Asia’s rich cultural heritage, reinforcing the importance of regional cooperation, capacity building, and the implementation of the 1970 UNESCO Convention, while establishing global standards for protecting and returning cultural property to its rightful place.
