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Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
Time: 3:39 am
Time: 3:39 am
Results for art theft
6 results foundAuthor: Council of Europe Title: The Protection of Historic Buildings and Their Artistic Contents Against Crime and Wilful Damage: Proceedings Summary: The legal protection of historic buildings, including their artistic contents, creates a judicial framework aimed at preventing protected objects from being destroyed, damaged or stolen. This also implies practical measures and technical means to ensure the security of historic buildings. It is generally agreed that threats due to - rather exceptional - natural causes and the daily action of atmospheric factors are in fact less dangerous for cultural property than those caused by people themselves: inappropriate actions due to ignorance, insufficient maintenance due to neglect or worse, theft, vandalism. Movable art treasures in religious buildings are particularly at risk. This colloquy presented and discussed measures taken for the protection of the heritage against theft, vandalism and fire. It evaluated them in the general context of the protection and the conservation of historic buildings in Europe. The aim of this colloquy was also to begin, on this basis, to consider ways of fighting these scourges, bearing in mind, amongst others, the possibilities given by recent developments in advanced technology. This event addressed specialists in the protection and conservation of the heritage, representatives of firms producing systems (against fire, theft and vandalism), policemen and other categories of people specialising in the prevention and the fight against this type of crime. Details: Strasbourg: Council of Europe Press, 1995. 168p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 10, 2010 at: http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/heritage/resources/Publications/Pat_PC_33_en.pdf Year: 1995 Country: International URL: http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/heritage/resources/Publications/Pat_PC_33_en.pdf Shelf Number: 116661 Keywords: ArsonArt TheftCultural Property, ProtectionVandalism |
Author: Chabiera, Aleksandra, Coordinator Title: Stop Heritage Crime: Good Practices and Recommendations Summary: he objective of the EEA and Norway grants is to reduce social and economic disparities in Europe. The objective is also to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Poland and Norway. The protection of cultural heritage has been, and will continue to be, an important priority for the EEA and Norway grants. I am pleased that money is not only allocated to the revitalisation of monuments, but also to enforce the knowledge and awareness of the need for preventing illicit trade in cultural objects. The Cultural Exchange Fund has been an important tool for increasing cultural cooperation and establishing long-term relationships between cultural institutions in Poland and Norway. I am pleased that more than 70 projects have been supported, and a large number of events have taken place both in Norway and Poland, including music and theatre performances, art exhibitions, and workshops for artists and experts within the various areas of art and cultural heritage. National characteristics are found in cultural expressions in the forms of traditions, ideals, customs, values, music, art, designs, performances, architectural forms, handicrafts and narratives, therefore, cultural objects constitute an important part of our national identity. People travel more and more, and increasingly to distant and exotic places. The cultural impressions travel back home with us, sometimes as cultural objects. Many travellers are not aware of the fact that bringing cultural objects home deprives their countries of origin of the historical values that are important to their identity. Often this is more a matter of ignorance and carelessness than intentional crime. Cultural treasures constitute great values. There is, therefore, alsounfortunately, an international market for the illicit trade of such items. Countries at war and countries with weak legal systems and little control are the most vulnerable to such trade. The cultural objects that are traded on this black market are difficult to trace and to bring back. International cooperation is necessary to meet the challenges, both from ignorant travellers and from criminals. The UNESCO convention is important in this respect. I am pleased that Poland and Norway can learn from one another through the sharing of knowledge and experiences, this will improve awareness and actions in both countries. Details: Warsaw, Poland: National Heritage Board of Poland, 2011. 148p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 19, 2012 Year: 2011 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 125684 Keywords: AntiquitiesArt TheftCultural Property, TheftHeritage CrimeProperty Theft |
Author: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Title: Application of the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. First Periodical Report: Norway Summary: This first periodical report describes the implementation in Norway of the provisions of the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. The preparation of Norway's first periodical report has been coordinated by the Ministry of Culture based on reports and information from relevant museums and public authorities as concerns their respective remits. In letters dated 9 November 2010 the Ministry of Culture invited the following bodies to present their views on the current situation concerning illicit trade in cultural objects in response to the questionnaire submitted from the UNESCO Secretariat for the preparation of this report: Arts Council Norway1 The Ministry of Trade and Industry The Customs and Excise Authorities The Norwegian National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Økokrim) The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design The Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren) The Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo As far as practicable, the present report follows the structure of the proposed guidelines from the UNESCO Secretariat. Details: Paris: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2011. 37p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 3, 2012 at: http://www.regjeringen.no/upload/KUD/Kunstavdelingen/Rapporter_Utredninger/UNESCO-periodicalreport_1970_Convention-march2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Norway URL: http://www.regjeringen.no/upload/KUD/Kunstavdelingen/Rapporter_Utredninger/UNESCO-periodicalreport_1970_Convention-march2011.pdf Shelf Number: 125849 Keywords: AntiquitiesArt TheftCultural Property, Theft (Norway)Heritage CrimeProperty Theft |
Author: Chappell, Duncan Title: Quantifying and Describing the South and South East Asian Illicit Antiquities Trade: Australia as an Overlooked Destination? Summary: The illicit antiquities trade, especially concerning smaller, portable artefacts deliberately stolen from archaeological sites, temples and museums, remains the greatest threat to the global archaeological record. To date, documenting and interdicting this trade has been severely restricted, primarily due to lax or conflicting enforcement practices, national and international laws, and an incomplete understanding of the size and scope of the market in both 'supply' and 'demand' countries. Asia, and especially South East Asia, is "on Australia's doorstep." Recent events (discussed below) suggest that Australia is an overlooked destination for illicitly obtained Asian-region antiquities. The overarching and immediate goals of this project, therefore, are to begin quantifying and describing the licit and illicit Australian antiquities market associated with the South East Asian region, as well as to collect preliminary data on the trade from one specific country - Vietnam. In this Briefing Paper, the reasons for selecting Vietnam as a detailed study are noted, together with proposed plans for 'in country' field research. Following this, a preliminary analysis of the nature and scope of the Australian antiquities market is undertaken, including an examination of a recent case, that of BC Galleries (Vic) Pty Ltd v Commonwealth of Australia (BCG 2012), to illustrate deficiencies in the existing cultural heritage protection laws in Australia, and especially the current limited capacity to repatriate looted objects to their country of origin. The paper concludes with observations on the need for reform in both the area of legislation and enforcement policy to ensure Australia fulfills its national and international cultural heritage protection obligations. Details: Nathan, Queensland: The Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security (CEPS), 2013. 8p. Source: The Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security (CEPS) Briefing Issue 24: Internet Resource: Accessed January 16, 2014 at Year: 2013 Country: Asia URL: http://www.ceps.edu.au/CMS/Uploads/file/Chappell%20Huffer%20issue%2024%20WEBB.pdf Shelf Number: 131779 Keywords: AntiquitiesArt Theft Cultural Property, TheftHeritage CrimeProperty Theft |
Author: Fanusie, Yaya J. Title: Monumental Fight: Countering the Islamic State's Antiquities Trafficking Summary: As the nation's largest professional organization of archaeologists on the Middle East holds its annual meeting this week in Atlanta, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) has released a new report analyzing the strategic role of antiquities trafficking in funding the terrorist group known as Islamic State (IS). The report, "Monumental Fight: Combatting Islamic State's Antiquities Trafficking," provides the most comprehensive look to date at IS's involvement in the illicit trade. The report is co-authored by former CIA intelligence analyst Yaya J. Fanusie, now director of analysis at FDD's Center on Sanctions and Illicit Finance (CSIF), and Alex Joffe, an archaeologist and historian specializing in the Middle East and contemporary international affairs. The report explains how antiquities looting evolved in the region, analyzes how it fits within IS's overall system of territorial control and governance, and identifies strategies to stem the illegal trade. Fanusie and Joffe explain that although antiquities trafficking may not provide IS as much money as other revenue streams like oil smuggling, "the importance of the antiquities trade for IS lies ... in the market's strategic and operational benefits." Excavation sites are unlikely to be targeted by coalition military strikes. Moreover, they note, looting antiquities does not alienate the local population like IS's other common practices of extortion and theft. To capitalize on this strategic resource, IS completely dominates the antiquities trade in the areas under its control, forcing civilians to be licensed by IS before they can dig for artifacts, and takes 20 percent or more of the revenue from any items sold to smugglers, the report finds. The authors note that IS also leverages its plundering for its global propaganda. The group video records choreographed destruction of pre-Islamic heritage sites in Iraq and Syria to portray itself as a defender of religious purity. The authors point out the irony of IS's antiquities trade; the group makes money through end-buyers who mainly come from the U.S. and Europe--representatives of the very societies IS has pledged to destroy. The authors explain that although the precise smuggling routes, middlemen, and buyers are difficult to uncover because of the market's opacity, a review of official trade data shows an uptick in antiques exiting the Levant since the Syrian civil war began. They argue it is likely that much of this increase comes from looted items masqueraded as legally owned artifacts. Details: Washington, DC: Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Center on Sanctions and Illicit Finance, 2015. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 2, 2016 at: http://www.defenddemocracy.org/media-hit/new-report-outlines-ways-to-combat-islamic-states-antiquities-trafficking/ Year: 2015 Country: International URL: http://www.defenddemocracy.org/media-hit/new-report-outlines-ways-to-combat-islamic-states-antiquities-trafficking/ Shelf Number: 137732 Keywords: AntiquitiesArt TheftIllicit TradeIslamic StateLootingTerrorist Financing |
Author: Association of Chief Police Officers Title: Heritage and Cultural Property Crime: National Policing Strategic Assessment Summary: What is Heritage and Cultural Property Crime? Heritage and cultural property crime can be defined as any offence involving damage or loss to the historic environment, including all offences involving cultural property. Alongside a local policing approach, coordinated by police Safer Neighbourhood Teams, chief police officers are now working directly with Government departments, partner law enforcement agencies and heritage sector professionals to tackle the longer term causes and effects. In this Heritage and Cultural Property Crime National Policing Strategic Assessment, the ACPO led Heritage and Cultural Property Crime Working Group (H&CPCWG) combine a wealth of expertise from members to highlight threats and opportunities to reduce the impact of crime to the historic environment and cultural property. Why be concerned? Amongst a number of other socio-economic and demographic factors, market forces drive acquisitive crime - national crime statistics bear this out. Fluctuations in exchange rates or global commodity prices can, for example, very quickly switch demand for lead, often from historic buildings, to demand for platinum from catalytic converters. Criminals intent on converting metal into cash do not see the damage, loss or heartache they cause to communities, they simply see a commodity that will provide a tax free income or their next drug fix. These thefts are not limited to metal from church roofs or listed buildings; coping stones, floor tiles, slate, intrinsically valuable artefacts and items of intricate metalwork from war memorials are all equally valuable to those operating in the moral vacuum of what we now know as heritage and cultural property crime. In addition to commodity price fluctuation, it is known that anniversaries of significant events in history drive demand for heritage assets. As we approach the centenary of the First World War, law enforcement and heritage sector professionals acknowledge the increasingly likely risk of the theft of memorabilia from museums and battlefields. The vast majority of crimes committed against the historic environment are not intricately planned offences committed by organised criminal gangs - they are committed by individuals or small groups following the path of least resistance to easy cash. A clear example of this can be seen in the theft of Henry Moore's 'Sundial' sculpture from the Henry Moore Foundation in Perry Green, Hertfordshire. In July 2012, it is doubtful that thieves realised the shiny garden ornament they were stealing from a house adjacent to a country lane was a nationally significant work of art worth $500,000 when they later sold it to a Cambridgeshire scrap metal dealer for $46.50. As of 1 October this year, the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 will make offences of this nature less appealing to offenders, who are now unable to sell scrap metal for cash; however, police and other law enforcement professionals must not be complacent in failing to identify new markets available through technological advances in online dealing. The historic environment and cultural property is vulnerable because assets are often located in isolated, sometimes rural localities or are displayed for the public to enjoy. Police officers cannot patrol every neighbourhood for every hour of every day. The delivery of intelligent and efficient law enforcement activity in financially challenging times must, therefore, include a focus on 'Collective efficacy'; law enforcement professionals working with local people and partner agencies to protect heritage assets from theft and damage to the historic environment. In addition to crimes against the historic environment, offenders are also increasingly targeting cultural property, national treasures and works of art displayed in museums, libraries, archives and private collections. A recent and well publicised example of this type of offence is provided by Operation Shrewd, a national inquiry into the theft of rhino horn, jade and Chinese artefacts (predominantly from the early Ming and Qing Dynasties) from provincial museums and private collections in the UK and Europe. As a result of this investigation, it is now known that organised criminal groups have targeted museums providing access to antiquities and artefacts valued at several million pounds. Gone are the days when organised criminal gangs focused on criminal activity such as robbing banks and safety deposit boxes, or importing drugs to further their criminal enterprise. These criminals have now accessed a rich vein of significantly higher return, and with much lower associated risk, directing offences against 'softer' targets to feed the demand from Far Eastern and South East Asian markets for rhino horn and cultural property. Details: London: Association of Chief Police Officers, 2013. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 23, 2016 at: http://www.museumsassociation.org/download?id=1038797 Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.museumsassociation.org/download?id=1038797 Shelf Number: 138791 Keywords: AntiquitiesArt TheftCultural PropertyHeritage CrimeMetal TheftOrganized CrimeProperty TheftScrap Metal |