Summarize

UNESCO, as well as other international organizations, have adopted a range of documents on prevention of illegal actions with cultural objects. We offer you the most important ones with reference to available translations into other languages:

• UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property 1970.

Official text of the UNESCO Convention 1970 in all 6 official UN languages is available here (please see section on the right "other links", where the document can be downloaded in different languages): http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/illicit-trafficking-of-cultural-property/1970-convention/text-of-the-convention/

This might interest those who work with the texts and terms in English, French or Russian.

• Operational guidelines of the Convention: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/illicit-trafficking-of-cultural-property/operational-guidelines/

Guidelines are available on English and French only.

• The rules of mediation and conciliation procedures are available in the section "Legal and practical instruments" here: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/illicit-trafficking-of-cultural-property/legal-and-practical-instruments/).

The rules are available in English, French and Spanish.

At the same place, in the section "Legal and practical instruments", you can find also other rules and procedures related to the title over cultural objects or turnover on the Internet.

• The World Customs Organization model export certificates (in all the 6 UN langugages) are available here: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/illicit-trafficking-of-cultural-property/legal-and-practical-instruments/unesco-wco-model-export-certificate/

• Platform dedicated to the object identification standard is available here: http://archives.icom.museum/object-id/publications.html

The essence of the standard is described on the platform, as well as how to make a record. You can find also many valuable publications and handbooks related not only to the standrd itself, but also regarding the turnover of cultural objects.

• International Code of Ethics for Dealers in Cultural Property is available here: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0012/001213/121320M.pdf

• You can find the so called Red Lists or the lists of the mostly endangered objects at the home page of ICOM (International Council of Museums): http://icom.museum/programmes/fighting-illicit-traffic/red-list/

• The ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums is here: http://icom.museum/the-vision/code-of-ethics/

The Code is available in different languages, including English, French and Spain.

• Fundamental publication, aggregating information on different documents and case studies, related to restitution of cultural objects: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001853/185386e.pdf

• UNESCO handbooks related to the movable heritage are available here: http://www.unesco.org/new/en/culture/themes/museums/movable-heritage-outreach-programme/

The handbooks are written in a simple language and are translated in the UN official as well as many other languages.

• UNESCO data base on the cultural laws and regulations, where the related documents of the member states are translated into foreign languages: http://www.unesco.org/culture/natlaws/

Please be aware that the documents are not updated immediately, so take a look on the date of coming into force of the published documents.

• Recommendation concerning the Protection and Promotion of Museums and Collections, their Diversity and their Role in Society are available here: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000246331

• Recommendation concerning the preservation of, and access to, documentary heritage including in digital form in 6 UN languages is available here: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=49358&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

ArtLaw.club is thankful to Ms.Ieva Švarca, Culture Programme Director of the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO, for drafting this recommended readings