The 1970 UNESCO Convention is one of the most important international instruments for the protection of cultural heritage against theft, unlawful export, and illicit trade.

Bosnia and Herzegovina formally adopted and ratified the Convention on 12 July 1993.

Three key objectives

PREVENTION – preventing theft, illegal excavations, and unauthorized export and import of cultural property.

RESTITUTION – enabling the return of stolen or unlawfully exported cultural property to its country of origin.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION – fostering collaboration among states and competent institutions in the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural property.

What is protected?

The Convention covers various types of cultural property, including archaeological finds, parts of historical and artistic monuments, antiquities, ethnological objects, and works of art.

Why is it important ioday?

Illicit trafficking of cultural property is not a problem of the past. In addition to illegal archaeological excavations and smuggling, new challenges include online sales and trade through social media, where the origin of objects is often difficult to verify.

A particular risk is posed by cultural property unlawfully removed from areas affected by wars and crises. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the implementation of the Convention involves key institutions, the Border Police of BiH, customs authorities, and INTERPOL, especially in the exchange of information on stolen cultural property.

To protect cultural heritage means to safeguard its origin, identity, and the rights of the community to which it belongs.