What can be done to prevent such looting in future conflicts? How do we respond to crisis and prevent future catastrophes? This paper presents policy plans by a panel of experts who convened at the United States Institute for Peace (USIP) on September 8, 2008 to address these issues.
The looting of Iraq’s museums and archaeological sites is an overlooked consequence of the 2003 invasion. As Iraqis struggle to redefine a sense of nationhood after five years of war, they will need to draw on that common heritage to reconstruct their communities.
Key findings:
- As multinational Forces entered Iraq, the country’s museums and archaeological sites were marked as no-strike zones. In keeping with the 1954 Hague Convention Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, the military successfully avoided causing direct damage to these sites. Yet, while Multinational Force-Iraq (MNF-I) pilots knew the exact coordinates of these sites, ground forces, did not have them on their radar. Without direct orders to prevent looting, many of these sites were gutted of their prized possessions.
- The institutions designed to protect Iraq’s cultural heritage have been exploited for political gain. Initially, the Facility Protection Service (FPS) secured sites under their jurisdiction. However, political infighting has inhibited this work. The State Board of Antiquities and Heritage (SBAH) is directed by two ministries: the Ministry of Culture—controlled by the Sunni-led Iraqi Accord Front—and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, controlled by the Shi’ite United Iraqi Alliance. Politically motivated efforts to cut FBS funding have rendered it virtually ineffective.
Recommendations:
- Iraqi capacity to protect cultural sites must be strengthened. The U.S. government should make it a priority to urge the government of Iraq to strengthen the (SBAH). The international community should also enforce the protection of cultural sites from civilian looters during armed conflict. The Hague Convention of 1954 should be reformed to reflect the international antiquities market and attendant increase in looting during international upheaval. U.S. and international military doctrine should incorporate concern for cultural property through training and awareness campaigns.
- A mechanism should be established to allow foreign governments, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations and academic institutions to “adopt” archaeological sites by providing funding, training, equipment and maintenance for security forces.
- Public awareness campaign about antiquities trafficking should be undertaken to increase sensitivity to the issue. International law enforcement network, INTERPOL, should identify and track the movement of antiquities at border crossings.
- Increase in deployable international police units should be undertaken to help to close the existing gap in civil law enforcement during a conflict and in post-conflict stability operations. Conventional military units are ill-trained and ill-equipped to deal with civil disturbances and illicit activities. U.N. Formed Police Units, U.S. Military Police, NATO Multinational Specialized Units and the European Gendarmerie Force are examples of the few existing forces that are prepared for such missions.
