Latest news with #UNESCOConventionontheMeansofProhibitingandPreventingtheIllicitImport
Al-Ahram Weekly
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt repatriates seven ancient Egyptian artefacts from France - Ancient Egypt
Egypt has repatriated seven ancient Egyptian artefacts that were seized by French authorities in January after they thwarted their sale by a group of traffickers. The handover occurred at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters in the New Administrative Capital. In coordination with the State Lawsuits Authority, the Ministries of Tourism and Antiquities, and Foreign Affairs ensured Egypt's participation as a civil party in the legal case over ownership of the artefacts. A court in Paris recently ruled in favour of Egypt, convicting the defendants and awarding €23,000 in financial compensation. The artefacts were subsequently handed over to the Egyptian Embassy in Paris in March, paving the way for their return to Egypt. Among the recovered items are a wooden statue of the god Anubis in his jackal form, a votive coffin, two wooden human hands, a terracotta figurine, and three small papyrus scrolls. Egyptian archaeological experts are currently examining the artefacts, which will be included in a forthcoming exhibition at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir. Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy praised the operation as a victory for Egypt's ongoing campaign to reclaim its stolen heritage. "This recovery represents another success for Egypt's cultural diplomacy and reaffirms our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our national heritage," he said. 'Each artifact we recover is a piece of our identity and historical memory that we are returning to its rightful place. Our work will continue in cooperation with international partners to protect and preserve our heritage for future generations.' The minister also commended the strong collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the effective coordination with French authorities as key to the operation's success. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, emphasized the historical importance of the recovered objects, noting that a detailed archaeological and technical report is underway. He also confirmed that Egyptian authorities have launched an investigation to identify all those responsible for smuggling the artefacts out of Egypt. Meanwhile, Shaaban Abdel Gawad, Director General of the Department for Antiquities Repatriation, highlighted the significance of the artefacts and stressed that the ministry remains committed to tracking down and reclaiming other looted pieces worldwide. This latest recovery underscores Egypt's broader strategy to combat the illicit trafficking of antiquities and strengthen international cooperation under agreements such as the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
16-04-2025
- See - Sada Elbalad
UNESCO Convene Workshop to Combat Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property Amid
Mohamed Mandour As illicit trafficking of cultural property continues to escalate be exacerbated in regions affected by conflict and instability, UNESCO—together with the Egyptian authorities—will host an high-level Interregional Capacity-Building Workshop on the Fight Against Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property from 16 to 18 April 2025 at Cairo. Supported by the UNESCO Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF) , the workshop aims to equip law enforcement agencies, judicial authorities, and cultural professionals from across the Arab States and Northeast African regions with the tools, knowledge on the existing, tools, measures and international legal frameworks necessary available to prevent the theft, looting, illegal trade, and destruction of cultural heritage in times of crisis. This technical workshop training, organized by UNESCO, organized by UNESCO Regional Office in Cairo and UNESCO HQ in Paris, will bring together over 80 participants from 10 countries—Central African Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Sudan, and the State of Palestine—in addition to leading key UNESCO experts partners in this field - such asfrom INTERPOL, UNIDROIT, UNODC and, ICOM. The organizers gratefully acknowledge the support and commitment of the Egyptian authorities in hosting this meeting in Cairo. Opening remarks will be delivered by Dr. Nuria Sanz, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Egypt and Sudan , alongside with Mrs. Krista Pikkat, Secretary of the 1970 Convention, Director for Culture and Emergencies at UNESCO, and representatives from the Egyptian authorities. The workshop will begin with a comprehensive overview by Ms. Krista Pikkat, Secretary of the 1970 Convention, Director for Culture and Emergencies at UNESCO, of the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, the key legal instrument in the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property, as well as its associated mechanisms and the tools developed by the Organization in this field . and its complementarity with the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention, presented by Mrs. Marina Schneider, Principal Legal Officer and Treaties Depositary at UNIDROIT. Participants will delve into national and regional challenges in implementing these conventionstheir legal frameworks, with a special session highlighting Egypt's leading efforts in port control and the repatriation of antiquities. Case studies will also explore special investigation techniques, the use of INTERPOL's ID-ART application, and the importance of community-based and youth-led initiatives in preventing heritage crimeto fight against this scourge. A key feature of the workshop is the focus on Sudan and the State of Palestine. , whose rich invaluable cultural legacies remain especially vulnerable to trafficking due to ongoing conflicts and geopolitical instability. Parallel sessions will assess legal and operational challenges, explore specificities of movable heritage, and propose action-oriented solutions to safeguard at-risk cultural assets. Over the three days, the workshop will offer a mix ofcombine interactive dialogues, practical exercises, and scenario-based training to reinforce participants' operational capacities. In the final session, participants will work in sub-groups to draft concrete protocols and define next-step priorities for improving regional coordination and response mechanisms. By strengthening capacities and fostering cross-border cooperation, this initiative advances the goals of the 1970 Convention, and contributes to its implementation and UNESCO's broader mission of protecting and safeguarding cultural diversity and human historyheritage in all its forms around the world. 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