Transaction Search Form: please type in any of the fields below.
Date: April 30, 2024 Tue
Time: 1:20 am
Time: 1:20 am
Results for heritage crime
6 results foundAuthor: 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: Benson, Bernadine Carol Title: Addressing heritage crime in Gauteng, South Africa : an integrative exposition Summary: This research explored, described and explained the nature and the extent of heritage crime as it manifested in the Gauteng Province of South Africa for the period 2006-2010. Gauteng was selected since it is deemed to be the hub of the legal trade. An operational definition of heritage objects was drafted for this study as ‘objects of artistic, cultural, historic or archaeological value regardless of age, housed in or curated by museums or galleries within Gauteng, and which are both tangible and moveable.’ Heritage crime for the purpose of this study was the illegal removal of any heritage object from a museum or gallery. The annual crime statistics released by the South African Police Services (SAPS) contain no reference to heritage crime of any sort. Therefore this research attempted to quantify the incidents of thefts experienced by museums and galleries in Gauteng for the period 2006-2010. Using a mixed method approach, data were gathered by qualitative and quantitative surveys. A total of 28 qualitative interviews were conducted. These data were integrated with the quantitative data which permitted the achievement of the strategic aims set out for this research. The following aims were achieved: • The roles and responsibilities of the custodians of the national estate were clarified; • International conventions designed to assist in combating crime perpetrated against cultural property were discussed; • The national legislation which guides the management, preservation and protection of heritage objects as well as the trade therein within South Africa was examined; • Policing agencies at the forefront of combating heritage crime were interviewed and international best practices were identified and compared with that which the SAPS are doing to address crime of this nature. These police agencies are situated in Italy, the United Kingdom, the USA and Germany; • The dynamics of the reported incidents of loss/theft were examined. Several anomalies were identified. Among these are the identification of the typologies of items being targeted and the possible identification of the type of thief perpetrating these crimes. • Through analysis of incidents it was also possible to highlight that the majority of thefts occur during the time when museums and galleries are open and that the items stolen are usually on open display (not affixed to the surface and not behind a barrier of any sort). Through the analysis of the data for legal trade and the theft incidents it was possible to design a Framework depicting the interface between the legal and illegal markets for trade in heritage objects. The research also provides law enforcement with minimum guidelines to ensure that crimes of this nature are addressed more effectively Details: Pretoria: University of South Africa, 2013. 345p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed October 9, 2014 at: http://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/13055/Phd%20Benson%20FINAL%20cover%20and%20body%20after%20exam%202013-08-26.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2013 Country: South Africa URL: http://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/13055/Phd%20Benson%20FINAL%20cover%20and%20body%20after%20exam%202013-08-26.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 133905 Keywords: Art Theft (South Africa)Cultural PropertyHeritage CrimeIllegal TradeMuseumsStolen Property |
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 |
Author: Brodie, Neil Title: How to Control the Internet Market in Antiquities? The Need for Regulation and Monitoring Summary: Illicit antiquities, some pilfered from war zones where jihadist groups operate, are increasingly finding their way online where they are being snapped up by unknowing buyers and further driving the rampant plunder of archaeological sites. These internet sales are spurring a vicious cycle: increasing demand for antiquities, which drives the looting, producing a greater supply of artifacts, which further increases demand. While global auction sales of art and antiquities declined in 2015 - falling as much as 11 percent -online sales skyrocketed by 24 percent, reaching a staggering $3.27 billion dollars. According to Forbes, "This suggests that the art market may not be 1 cooling, exactly, but instead shifting to a new sales model, e-commerce." How can an online buyer guarantee that a potential purchase is not stolen property, a "blood antiquity," or a modern forgery? The best protection is to demand evidence of how the object reached the market in the first place. However, as in more traditional sales, most antiquities on the internet lack any such documentation. Online shoppers therefore have limited means of knowing what they are buying or from whom. This is a particularly serious concern given the industrial scale looting now taking place in Iraq and Syria, which the United Nations Security Council warns is financing Daesh (commonly known as ISIS, ISIL, or Islamic State), al Qaeda, and their affiliates. Despite the clear implications for both cultural preservation and national security, so far public policy has completely failed to regulate the online antiquities trade. This is particularly true in the United States, which remains the world's largest art market and a major center for the internet market in antiquities. American inaction has 3 made it impossible to combat the problem globally, and moreover, is in great contrast to positive steps taken by other "demand" nations like Germany. This paper offers practical solutions to help better protect good faith consumers from purchasing looted or fake antiquities - while also protecting online businesses from facilitating criminal behavior. After briefly reviewing what is known of the organization and operation of the internet market in antiquities, it considers some possible cooperative responses aimed at educating consumers and introducing workable regulation. These responses draw upon the German example, as well as recent criminological thinking about what might constitute effective regulation. Finally, the paper makes seven policy recommendations, which while geared towards the American market, are applicable to any country where antiquities are bought and sold online. Details: Washington, DC: Antiquities Coalition, 2017. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Policy Brief No. 3: Accessed September 15, 2017 at: http://thinktank.theantiquitiescoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Policy-Brief-3-2017-07-20.pdf Year: 2017 Country: International URL: http://thinktank.theantiquitiescoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Policy-Brief-3-2017-07-20.pdf Shelf Number: 147333 Keywords: Antiquities Cultural Property Heritage Crime Internet CrimeInternet TradeLooting Stolen Property Trafficking in Antiquities |