UNESCO Issues Alert Over Artefacts Reported Stolen From Egyptian Museums
New York, Feb 15 2011 3:10PM
Amid reports that important artefacts have been stolen from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and other sites in the country,
the head of the United Nations agency tasked with preserving humanity’s cultural heritage today alerted authorities, art
dealers and collectors across the world to be on the lookout for the missing relics.
Egyptian authorities reported at the weekend that several important pieces, including a gilded wood statue of pharaoh
Tutankhamen being carried by a goddess, have been stolen from the museum, and that one of its warehouses had been broken
into.
“It is particularly important to verify the origin of cultural property that might be imported, exported and/or offered
for sale, especially on the Internet,” <"http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/unesco_calls_on_art_dealers_and_collectors_to_be_on_the_alert_for_stolen_egyptian_artefacts/">said Irina Bokova, the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
“This heritage is part of humanity’s history and Egypt’s identity. It must not be allowed to vanish into unscrupulous
hands, or run the risk of being damaged or even destroyed,” she added.
Ms. Bokova said UNESCO will work closely with its international partners, including INTERPOL, the World Customs
Organization (WCO), the International Centre for the Study and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and the
International Council of Museums (ICOM) in an effort to recover the stolen artefacts.
“But I would also call on security forces, customs agents, art dealers, collectors and local populations everywhere to
do their utmost to recover these invaluable pieces and return them to their rightful home.
“Every possible measure must also be taken to provide the security necessary to protect Egypt’s heritage sites and
prevent any further thefts,” said Ms. Bokova.
She drew attention to UNESCO’s 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and
Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, and the 1995 Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects.
ENDS