United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

UNESCO Database of National Cultural Heritage Laws

The four key dates:

25-28 March 2003: the 12th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in Case of Illicit Appropriation recommends that the Director-General “establish and maintain on the UNESCO website a legislation database that includes cultural heritage legislation from all Member States” and invites the Member States to give their full cooperation.
29 September-17 October 2003: at its 32nd session, the General Conference supports the principle of establishing the database.
15 October 2003: the Meeting of the States Parties to the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property recommends that Member States of UNESCO should promptly submit all their national legislation aimed at the protection of the cultural heritage.
7-10 February 2005: official launch of the database at the 13th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in Case of Illicit Appropriation, two years after the initial recommendation.

For more information:

Website of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in Case of Illicit Appropriation:

Website of the 32nd session of the General Conference
Meeting of the States Parties to the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property: