Protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict
The protection of cultural property during armed conflict is based on the principle that damage to the cultural property of any people means, in the words of the 1954 Hague Convention, "damage to the cultural heritage of all mankind".
Cultural property is protected during war in two ways. Because it is normally civilian in nature, the general provisions of humanitarian law protecting civilian property apply.
Specific protection recognizing the cultural heritage of every people is enshrined in the 1954 Hague Convention for the protection of cultural property during armed conflict, which was complemented by the 1977 Additional Protocols, and has become part of customary international law.
The sad reality is that, over the centuries, many works of art have been lost and cultural sites damaged or destroyed in war. While forms of customary protection have existed since the earliest times of civilization, the destructiveness of World War II prompted the international community to act and provide specific legal protection.
Under the 1954 Hague Convention, each State must act to safeguard its own cultural property against armed attack. This can be done, for example, by moving such property away from potential or actual military action, or in the case of historical sites, by avoiding placing military objectives near to them.
Parties to an armed conflict are not allowed to direct hostilities against cultural property and must avoid incidental damage to such property. Using cultural property for military purposes is prohibited.
The Hague Convention does, however, recognize situations where an attack on cultural property may be lawful, namely if such property has been turned into a military objective and an attack would be required by "imperative military necessity".
Occupying powers must protect cultural property under their control from theft, pillage or misappropriation. If cultural property is removed from occupied territory for its own protection, it must be returned at the end of hostilities.
Responding to events during World War II, international law also prohibits the destruction of cultural property as a means of intimidating people under occupation or as a reprisal.
Parties to the Hague Convention are responsible for implementing its provisions and for enshrining the protection of cultural property in their national legislation. They are also required to enforce its provisions in case of violation. At the international level, UNESCO has a particular responsibility to monitor compliance and help protect and preserve cultural property.
In the more than 50 years since its existence, the Hague Convention has established a clear legal framework. It was reinforced by the 1977 Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions, the Statute of the International Criminal Court in 1998 and an Additional Protocol to the Convention itself in 1999.
