The knowledge of the Convention and its two Protocols is the key to the success of their implementation and to the respect of their provisions by the military.

Article 7 of the 1954 Convention provides for the obligation to introduce in time of peace into the military regulations or instructions such provisions as may ensure observance of the Convention to establish, within armed forces, services which secure respect for cultural property and to co-operate with the civilian authorities responsible for safeguarding it.

Article 25 provides that the High Contracting Parties have to disseminate the provisions of the Convention among the civilians.

Article 30 of the Second Protocol complements Articles 7 and 25 of the Hague Convention by providing for a wide range of obligations such as the communication, through the Director-General of UNESCO, of the laws and administrative provisions to ensure the application of the Second Protocol and the implementation of its provisions in the national legislations and within the relevant civilian and military authorities.

Practices at the national level: tools developed

The tools presented on this page are a small overview of existing national tools which can benefit to Member States at the international level as a sharing of information. Other tools will be presented when available.

• Austria:
  Directive for the military protection of cultural property and the military safeguarding of cultural heritage EN | FR | German
• Belgium:
  Cours pour Conseillers en Droit des Conflits Armés FR
• Italy:
  Directive on the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict - 2012  EN
• France:
  Handbook on the Protection of Cultural Heritage in the Event of Armed Conflict EN | FR
• Switzerland: Basic Rules EN | FR
• United States of America:
  Heritage Preservation - Soldier pocket guide: EN | AR

UNESCO tools

• Inserts: EN | FR
• Basic Rules, 2001 (multilingual)
• Brochure developed by UNESCO for MINUSMA staff (military, police units and civilians). Training sessions started in October 2013 and will be carried on along with the MINUSMA mission.