ICOM PRESS RELEASE
11 June 2003
Emergency Red List of Iraqi Antiquities at Risk
http://icom.museum/redlist
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) announces the official
publication of its Emergency Red List of Iraqi Antiquities at Risk
describing types of object especially at risk or likely to have been stolen
from Iraq.
This Red List has been compiled in an extremely short space of time, in the
hope that it will help curb illicit trade in objects looted from the Iraq
Museum in Baghdad or from museums and archaeological sites elsewhere in the
country. It was drawn up by a group of international experts during a
meeting organised by ICOM at the headquarters of Interpol in Lyons (France)
on 7 May 2003.
The Emergency Red List of Iraqi Antiquities at Risk is designed to help
customs officials, police officers and art dealers identify objects as
coming from Iraq.
The Red List describes the types of object most sought-after on the illegal
antiquities market, so that they can be identified and impounded. It makes
no claim to be exhaustive. Because of the extremely varied nature of Iraqi
cultural heritage, any antiquities from Iraq should be viewed with
suspicion.
ICOM's aim in compiling this Red List was to launch a prompt practical
initiative which would have an immediate impact, safeguarding Iraqi cultural
heritage and preventing stolen Iraqi art works from entering the
international art market. The Emergency Red List of Iraqi Antiquities at
Risk is based on ICOM's Red List concept, and follows on from previous work
aimed at protecting African heritage, and ongoing work on the Latin America
Red List scheduled for publication in September 2003.
ICOM expresses its gratitude to the US Department of State (Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs), whose prompt offer of financial support
made this project possible.
The English version of the Emergency Red List of Iraqi Antiquities at Risk
can be consulted on the ICOM Web site (French and Arab versions to follow
very shortly). It will also be distributed as a leaflet to customs officials
and police officers all over the world via Interpol and the World Customs
Organisation (WCO).
In connection with this initiative, it should be noted that the United
Nations Security Council Resolution 1483, which was passed on 22 May 2003,
bans all international trade in Iraqi cultural property exported illegally
after 6 August 1990.
ICOM is an international organisation of museums and museum professionals
which is committed to the conservation, continuation and communication to
society of the world's natural and cultural heritage, present and future,
tangible and intangible.
With 18,000 members in 143 countries, ICOM provides an international network
of museum professionals across the spectrum of disciplines and
specialisations.
ICOM was founded in 1946. It is a non-governmental, not-for-profit
organisation which has formal links with UNESCO and consultative status with
the United Nations' Economic and Social Council
The fight against illicit traffic of cultural goods is one of ICOM's core
commitments. The Emergency Red List of Iraqi Antiquities at Risk has been
compiled to prevent cultural objects being sold illegally on the art market,
and thus to ensure the protection of Iraqi heritage. It is based on ICOM's
Red List concept, and follows on from previous work on Africa and
Latin-America.
____________________________________________________________________________
Contact : Valérie Jullien
ICOM, Maison de l'UNESCO
1, rue Miollis
75732 Paris cedex 15 - France
Tel. +33 (0) 1 47.34.05.00
Fax + 33 (0) 1.43.06.48.62
Email [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
http://icom.museum
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