The Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in Case of Armed Conflict was adopted in The Hague in 1954 after the mass destruction of cultural heritage that took place during World War Two. It represents the first international treaty that aims at protecting cultural property in case of armed conflict on a global scale.
The Convention and its First Protocol foresee the protection of both movable and immovable property – meaning monuments; artistic, historical and archeological sites and scientific collections, regardless of their origin and owner.
In order to safeguard cultural property in case of armed conflict, State Parties engage themselves to adopt and implement appropriate measures in times of peace.
The criminal attacks that were perpetrated during the numerous conflicts that took place in the ‘80s have highlighted several shortcomings in the Convention’s implementation.
During a revision process, and in the light of the newly established international humanitarian law and protection of cultural heritage, a second Protocol was adopted in March 1999. This tool integrates the Convention with more detailed steps to effectively safeguard cultural property in case of armed conflict.
The Second Protocol established a Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property in case of Armed Conflict that works in close cooperation with UNESCO’s Director General. It is responsible for supervising the Protocol’s implementation ; it grants special protection to endangered sites and manages the international Fund for the Protection of Cultural Property in case of Armed Conflict.
The Committee is composed of 12 Member States which are elected for a four-year term.
