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Protection and preservation of cultural heritage during armed conflict: Understanding the accountability of a state under international humanitarian law

Publication date: 29.06.2024

Gdansk Journal of East Asian Studies, 2024, Issue 25, pp. 209 - 224

https://doi.org/10.4467/23538724GS.24.013.19874

Authors

,
Showkat Ahmad Wani
Alliance University Bengaluru
, India
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0240-9073 Orcid
All publications →
Saumya Vats
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, School of Law
, India
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2778-9981 Orcid
All publications →

Titles

Protection and preservation of cultural heritage during armed conflict: Understanding the accountability of a state under international humanitarian law

Abstract

In contemporary armed conflicts, the discourse surrounding regulations pertaining to the safeguarding of cultural property under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) has regained its salience. With the latest advancements in technology and other aspects of warfare, the intricacies associated with the application of legal frameworks in the theatre of war have become increasingly convoluted. Notably, the preservation of cultural property during armed conflict has presented a significant challenge to International Humanitarian Law. Although the United Nations offers a multifaceted prototype for the protection of cultural property held by states, the implementation of these regulations is encumbered by gaps, which impede the complete compliance of the parties involved. This article analyses the legal frameworks pertinent to cultural property, with a particular focus on IHL. Furthermore, it offers several suggestions that can be implemented to preserve cultural property of significance and value, while addressing current lacunae in implementation.

References

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International Criminal Court Project’s, “The ICC and Cultural Property: Reinforced Legal Enforcement of the Protection of Cultural Property in Armed Conflict”, by S.S. Shoamanesh, 22 June 2022, https://www.international-criminal-justice-today.org/arguendo/the-icc-and-cultural-property/ (accessed: 15.03.2022)

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Legal acts

International Declaration concerning the Laws and Customs of War, adopted by the Conference of Brussels on 27 August 1874

Laws and Customs of War on Land (29 July 1899)

Hague Convention (IV) respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land (18 October 1907)

Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, signed at Geneva on 12 August 1949

Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on 14 May 1954

The UNESCO Convention concerning the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, adopted by UNESCO in Paris on 16 November 1970

Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted in Paris on 16 November 1972

Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques, opened for signature at Geneva on 18 May 1977 and entered into force on 5 October 1978

Additional Protocol II to the 1954 Hague Convention, which entered into force in 1999

Information

Information: Gdansk Journal of East Asian Studies, 2024, Issue 25, pp. 209 - 224

Article type: Original article

Titles:

English: Protection and preservation of cultural heritage during armed conflict: Understanding the accountability of a state under international humanitarian law
Polish:
Ochrona i zachowanie dziedzictwa kulturowego podczas konfliktu zbrojnego – zrozumienie odpowiedzialności państwa na mocy
międzynarodowego prawa humanitarnego

Authors

https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0240-9073

Showkat Ahmad Wani
Alliance University Bengaluru
, India
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0240-9073 Orcid
All publications →

Alliance University Bengaluru
India

https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2778-9981

Saumya Vats
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, School of Law
, India
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2778-9981 Orcid
All publications →

Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, School of Law
India

Published at: 29.06.2024

Article status: Open

Licence: CC BY  licence icon

Percentage share of authors:

Showkat Ahmad Wani (Author) - 50%
Saumya Vats (Author) - 50%

Article corrections:

-

Publication languages:

English