Benno Widmer - International cooperation, bilateral Agreements and modalities for return and restitution

Eidgenössisches Departement für Inneres EDI
Bundesamt für Kultur BAK

Fight against illicit traffic
of Cultural Property in South-East Europe

„International cooperation, bilateral Agreements
and modalities for return and restitution“

Regional Workshop in Gaziantep, Turkey, 19-21 November 2012

RA Benno Widmer, M Arts, M Law
Head of International Transfer of Cultural Property
Federal Office of Culture, DHA, Switzerland
benno.widmer@bak.admin.ch


I. Introduction

II. International Cooperation

III. Bilateral Agreements

IV. Modalities for return and restitution

V. Conclusion / Observations

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I. Introduction

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Context: Cultural Property in CH

The cultural property
Identity, symbolic, artistic, scientific, historic, religious
and monetary value

Switzerland
• Prehistoric settlements, Celtic tribes and Roman Provinces…
• Highest concentration of museums in the world
• Many and important private collections
• Important place in the art market (together with the USA, China,
Great Britain and France)
• Positive balance of imports
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BEFORE 2005

„Medici“, Geneva 1998 „Becchina“, Basel 2003
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AFTER 2005

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II. International Cooperation

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(Unidroit Convention 1995)

UNESCO Convention of 1970

Federal Act on the international transfer
of cultural property (CPT Act) since 2005

Bilateral Agreements based on UC 1970:
Italy, Peru, Greece, Columbia, Egypt

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Goals of Federal CPT Act

Prevent theft looting and illicit import and export of CP

Enhance the preservation and legal exchange of CP

Non-retroactive / Compensation for good faith aquisition

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Enactement of CPT Act
Council Coordination
Federal Partners
• Customs/ Fedpol
• DFAE / DFJP
• Protection of cultural
property
• others

Specialized
Service Representation
FOC
International Partners
• UNESCO / Interpol / OMD
• Specialised bodies: Carabinieri Tutela etc.
• Embassies in Switzerland
• Culture Ministries
• Non-Governmental Organization (p. ex.
ICOM)
• others
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The specialized Service on international
transfer of cultural property

Information + Cooperation Repression
Prevention
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Information + Prevention

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Cooperation

Chavin de Huantar, Peru Museum Rietberg, Zürich, Schweiz

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Repression
Article 24 Misdemeanor

To the extent that the offence is not threatened with a higher sanction under
another provision, punishment of imprisonment up to one year or a fine up to
100,000 Swiss Francs will be imposed on whoever intentionally:
•imports, sells, distributes, procures, acquires, or exports cultural property stolen or
otherwise lost against the will of the owner;
•appropriates excavation finds in terms of Article 724, Swiss Civil Code;
•illicitly imports cultural properly or incorrectly declares the same during import or
transit;
•illicitly exports cultural goods listed in the Federal Registry or incorrectly declares
the same during export;
If the offender acts negligently, the sanction is a fee of up to 20,000 Swiss Francs.
If the offender acts on a professional basis, the sanction is jail for up to two years
or a fine of up to 200,000 Swiss Francs. (=USD 200’000.-)

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Experiences: International Cooperation

• Needs an international framework

• Needs an effective national framework
-> Assume new responsabilities and coordinate existing powers

• Needs practical international tools

• Is in steady development

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III. Bilateral Agreements

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Bilateral Agreements

-> For categories of particularly endangered and defined CP

• Import: Recognition and necessity of the foreign export licence

• Non-presentation of export licence is a criminal offence

• Repatriation in case of illicit import

• Mutual cooperation / Announcement requirements

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Bilateral Agreements:

• ITALY, 2006
• PERU, 2006
• GREECE, 2007
• COLOMBIA, 2010
• EGYPT, 2010

• CYPRUS to be signed in 2013

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Antikenmuseum Basel, 2011
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Experiences: Bilateral Agreements

Complementary tool:

To enhance the protection of particularly endangered and defined
cultural heritage

To enhance the prevention of illicit trafficking of cultural goods
between the two States parties

To foster the direct mutual cooperation between states

To raise awareness amongst the involved circles

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IV. Modalties of Return and Restitution

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• Public Law: Constitutional,
Administrative, Penal Law
• Civil Law

Direct dialogue
Diplomatic channels
Alternative Dispute Resolution
(UNESCO, ICOM-WIPO)

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V. Conclusion

Legal framework and practical execution:
International Cooperation
Bilateral Agreements
Return and Restitution

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UNESCO Convention of 1970 :
Extract from the Preamble

“Considering that the interchange of cultural property among
nations for scientific, cultural and educational purposes
increases the knowledge of the civilization of Man, enriches
the cultural life of all peoples and inspires mutual respect
and appreciation among nations”

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www.bak.admin.ch/kgt

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