Convention on the means of prohibiting and preventing the illicit import export and transfer of ownership of cultural property

Theft, looting and illicit trafficking of cultural property is a crime. It deprives people of their history and culture, it weakens social cohesion in the long term. It fuels organized crime and contributes to the financing of terrorism. The 1970 Convention is the culmination of a long process of reflection on the fight against the illicit traffic of cultural property. It is a collective duty to act against the illicit trafficking of cultural property and to protect cultural heritage.