STATEMENT BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE BLUE SHIELD ON THE IMPACT OF
A WAR ON CULTURAL HERITAGE IN IRAQ

The International Committee of the Blue Shield (ICBS) expresses its profound
concern about the potential damage to, and destruction of, cultural heritage
in the event of war in Iraq.

Whilst the ICBS is keenly aware that there are other compelling concerns at
times of armed conflict, not least the loss of human life, the Committee
urges all the governments concerned to work within the spirit of The Hague
Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed
Conflict, to protect archives, libraries, monuments and sites, and museums,
if war breaks out in Iraq and in the region.

The ICBS believes that, access to authentic cultural heritage is a basic
human right. Damage to, and destruction of, cultural heritage represents an
impoverishment, not only of the cultural life of the community directly
concerned, but of humanity as a whole. This belief is expressed in several
international conventions. Iraq is universally recognized to be especially
rich in cultural heritage. The area is often described as the 'cradle of
civilisation'. The loss of parts of that heritage would certainly represent
a loss to all the peoples of the world.

The ICBS wishes to stress that international humanitarian law prohibits the
use of cultural property for military purposes or to shield military
objectives.

In the aftermath of any war in Iraq, the ICBS calls upon all governments in
a position to act to provide the necessary resources, human and financial,
to assess the damage caused by the conflict to cultural heritage and to
implement plans for the necessary repairs and restoration.  In the case of
looting of cultural property, detailed plans by trained experts should be
prepared for the repatriation or restitution of the property concerned, with
the involvement of Iraqi scholars and heritage professionals.

The ICBS is willing to respond to requests for technical assistance and
co-ordination which may be required by providing advice and assistance
within the resources available.

Meanwhile, the ICBS calls upon all governments which have not yet become
party to The Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the
Event of Armed Conflict and its two Protocols to do so.

Adopted by the International Committee of the Blue Shield, 7th March 2003.

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Background information

The International Committee for the Blue Shield (ICBS) comprises
representatives of four non-governmental organisations:
-International Council on Archives (ICA)
-International Council on Museums (ICOM)
-International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS)
-International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)

ICBS embraces archives, libraries, monuments and sites, and museums. Its
mission is to work for the protection of cultural Heritage by
co-coordinating preventative measures to meet and respond to emergency
situations, both natural and man-made.

The Blue Shield is the equivalent of the Red Cross/Red Crescent in the field
of cultural heritage.

The vital work of the ICBS was recognized in the Second Protocol to The
Hague Convention, adopted in March 1999. This will give the Committee a new
role to advise the future Committee for the Protection of Cultural Property
in the Event of Armed Conflict, to be set up when the Protocol comes into
force. It will do so three months after 20 states have ratified the
Protocol. This is expected to occur in late 2003 or early 2004.

FURTHER INFORMATION is available from:

Ross Shimmon
President
International Committee of the Blue Shield
C/o International Federation of Library associations and Institutions
P O Box 95312
2509 CH
The Hague
Netherlands
Tel: +31 70 3140884
Fax: +31 70 3834827
Email: [log in to unmask]

Christiane Logie
Secretary
International Committee of the Blue Shield
Bibliothèque Royale de Belgique, Boulevard de l'Empereur 4, 1000, Bruxelles,
Belgique
Email: [log in to unmask]

More information about the Blue Shield at: http://icom.museum/emergency.html

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