Protecting Cultural Property During 21st Century Political Conflicts

• In Event: Conflict, Governance, and International Political Order

Abstract

Unrest and political turmoil can cause a decline in the protection of archaeological sites, museums, and cultural property. I argue that it is important to protect this cultural heritage since it is important to identity development of the citizens and could aid in the recovery of the nation-state after the conflict ends. The significance of public displays of art, history, and culture is political in that it is a form of soft power that can be used to stabilize and promote unity. This paper will explore the effects of political conflict on cultural heritage protection measures, specifically looking at sites and museums in Iraq, Yemen, Egypt, and Syria. Looking at these countries, it is possible to see how regional turbulence has differed in relation to cultural property as soft power. The destruction of property and heritage sites hits at the collective national identity, destroying not only your enemy but their collective identities after the conflict ends and the country works to rebuild.

Given the recent tweets from President Trump on the possibility of targeting culturally significant sites in Iran, it is relevant to discuss international laws, including the 1954 Hague Treaty and the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transport of Ownership of Cultural Property. The ill-advised tweets point at a lack of understanding on international law, and it is important to highlight ethical responsibilities we have towards cultural property during and after periods of conflict and civil unrest. Cultural heritage loss is a humanitarian crisis. But given all the humanitarian crises in conflict zones, how do we justify expenditures—both in human lives and financial obligations—to protect cultural property and heritage sites? The lack of a unified international response on this issue allows for profit from the looting and smuggling of cultural property. This paper will examine the question: how do you govern cultural property effectively during times of political conflict in the current globalized world?

Author

• Ashleigh Breske, Hollins University