Call to curb black market in cultural objects from Iraq and Syria

“The looting and smuggling of objects of historical and cultural significance from Iraq and Syria is a very serious problem. We strongly urge the Nordic academic and professional communities – e.g. collectors, traders, art dealers, antique shops and museums – to exercise extreme caution,” the ministers said.

The looting and smuggling of objects of historical and cultural significance from Iraq and Syria is a very serious problem.

Cultural objects are being sold on the black market to fund and support the activities of extremist groups. On 12 February, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution committing member states to take action to prevent this.

We strongly urge the Nordic academic and professional communities – e.g. collectors, traders, art dealers, antique shops and museums – to exercise extreme caution.

The Nordic Council of Ministers for Culture (MR-K) is calling for a Nordic approach to this issue, starting with a conference on the illegal trade in cultural objects to be held in autumn 2015.