We are delighted to see the that committee stage of the cultural property (armed conflict) bill takes place on 15 November in the House of Commons after its all-party-supported, steady progress through the House of Lords. This legislation will enable the UK to ratify the 1954 Hague convention on the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict and its two protocols, making the UK the only member of the UN’s permanent five to have ratified all parts of the convention and one of the leading international players regarding the protection of cultural property during war.
However, we have the opportunity to become the leading international player. The UK government currently faces a similar opportunity to that confronted by the Swiss in the 1860s: to help an embryonic international organisation become established. The International Blue Shield, frequently referred to as the “cultural equivalent of the Red Cross”, was set up by the international community in 1996 – but without funding. Through the UK’s newly created cultural protection fund (CPF) we could, and must, support a small Blue Shield team in London to not only help its 25 existing voluntary national committees and the plethora of diverse activity currently taking place regarding the protection of the cultural heritage of the Middle East, but to act as a centre of excellence and support for those trying to protect heritage during conflict anywhere in the world.
The CPF provides the means by which we can grasp this opportunity; we urge the government to seize it.
Dr Mike Heyworth Director, Council for British Archaeology
Earl of Clancarty House of Lords
Baroness Kay Andrews House of Lords
Alan Howarth House of Lords
Rupert Mitford House of Lords
Colin Renfrew House of Lords
Sharon Heal Director, Museums Association
Sue Cole Icomos-Icorp UK
Nick Poole Chief executive, CILIP
Prof Barry Cunliffe
Prof Nigel Pollard Associate Professor of ancient history, Swansea University
Julian Radcliffe Art Loss Register
Bijan Rouhani Icomos-Icorp
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