VII. Gender awareness and Cross Cutting Topics (CCT)
7.6. Cultural property protection
Cultural property (CP) is an important part of a people’s identity. It can reflect their heritage, their values, and their religion. At the same time it is very fragile and if damaged might be irreparable. Therefore it requires constant and careful consideration during a mission.
Cultural property protection refers all measures for the protection of cultural property against damage, destruction, theft, embezzlement or other loss. In immovable cultural property and the term "monument protection" is used.
Bound by international law, and its positive contribution to a safe and secure environment, the military, and especially CIMIC, must take both a support position and a proactive stand regarding CPP.”
Illicit trade in artifacts is a source of income for illegal armed groups and as such is directly connected to the duration of an armed conflict.
For more details see the Factsheet.