INTERPOL, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the International Council of Museums are warning that internet auction sites are being increasingly used to traffic stolen cultural items.
"INTERPOL, UNESCO and ICOM are doing everything we can at the international level to recover works of art obtained through illegal means, but we also need our member countries to be vigilant," said INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K Noble.
"By following these basic actions, National Central Bureaus and other law enforcement agencies in INTERPOL’s member countries can help us stop this illicit trade, which not only robs countries of their cultural heritage and identity, but also has become more attractive to organized crime groups, given the increasing sophistication and boldness of thefts."
In a joint statement, the leaders of the three organisations called on national authorities in their respective member countries to follow a set of basic actions to counter the illicit sale of cultural objects through the Internet, including:
encouraging Internet sales platforms to post disclaimers advising prospective buyers to conduct due diligence to ensure the item has been obtained legally
requesting Internet sales platforms to co-operate with law enforcement agencies on investigations
reporting thefts to the INTERPOL National Central Bureau in their country to ensure the item is recorded in INTERPOL’s stolen works of art database and included in the accompanying DVD
urging national leaders to establish a central authority responsible for the protection of cultural properties and to enact legal measures to immediately seize cultural objects whose provenance is in doubt.
"Sales of cultural property over the Internet present a huge challenge as a result of their sheer volume and the special conditions under which they are conducted," said specialist officer Karl-Heinz Kind of INTERPOL’s Works of Art unit. "This joint approach from INTERPOL, the UNESCO and ICOM will help ensure there is better and more focussed global co-operation in helping reduce the illicit traffic in cultural property."
A survey of member countries by INTERPOL found that the illicit trade in cultural objects via the Internet was considered a serious and growing concern for both countries of origin and destination.
