Committee on offences relating to cultural property (PC-IBC)

More information

Committee on offences relating to cultural property The Council of Europe has prepared a new criminal law convention to combat the illicit trafficking of cultural property (CETS n°221). This form of trafficking is increasingly exploited by terrorist groups and is linked to international cross-border organised crime.

Recent events in Iraq and Syria have emphasised the vulnerability of historic and archaeological sites, with a deliberate destruction of humanity’s heritage threatening our democratic values, identity and memory. Trafficking in cultural property is a highly clandestine crime and a source for money laundering practices affecting all European countries.

The Terms of reference of the Committee on Offences relating to Cultural Property (PC-IBC) were adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 2 March 2016. Under the authority of the European Committee on Crime Problems (CDPC), in close co-operation with the Steering Committee for Culture, Heritage and Landscape (CDCPP), the Committee prepared a draft Convention superseding and replacing the European Convention on Offences relating to Cultural Property (ETS No.119, known as the “Delphi Convention”), as well as its draft Explanatory Report.

The PC-IBC met over a period of 6 months during 2016-2017 to draft the new convention. This pioneering Convention was adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 3 May 2017 and opened for signature in Nicosia (Cyprus) on 19 May 2017.

PC-IBC family picture

Following its Terms of Reference, the PC-IBC shall ensure that the draft Convention deals, inter alia, with the following issues:

definition of cultural property
criminalisation of behaviour which has the potential to harm cultural property
criminalisation of illicit destruction of cultural property
criminalisation of trafficking in cultural property
prevention of offences relating to cultural property
international co-operation

news

Back Cyprus ratifies the European Convention on Offences relating to Cultural Property

Cyprus deposited instruments of ratification of the European Convention on Offences relating to Cultural Property (CETS No.221) .

The Convention on Offences relating to Cultural Property aims to prevent and combat the illicit trafficking and destruction of cultural property, in the framework of the Organisation’s action to fight terrorism and organised crime.

The Convention, which will be open for signature to any country in the world, also aims to foster international co-operation to fight these crimes, which are destroying the world’s cultural heritage.

The Convention, which will be the only international treaty specifically dealing with the criminalisation of the illicit trafficking of cultural property, establishes a number of criminal offences, including theft; unlawful excavation, importation and exportation; and illegal acquisition and placing on the market. It also criminalises the falsification of documents and the destruction or damage of cultural property when committed intentionally.

Strasbourg 07/12/2017