UNESCO calls for ban on trade in Haitian artifacts to prevent pillaging of the country’s cultural heritage

January 31, 2010

UNESCO has launched a campaign to protect Haiti’s moveable heritage, notably art collections in the country’s damaged museums, galleries and churches, from pillaging.

“This heritage is an invaluable source of identity and pride for the people on the island and will be essential to the success of their national reconstruction.” — quoting Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova (http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID=40335&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html)

Check out UNESCO’s website for more on UNESCO’s involvement with Haiti’s reconstruction: http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID=34603&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

See also an ICOM (Intl Council on Museums) report on the status (as of Jan. 21, 2010) of Haiti’s museums: http://icom.museum/icbs-press/100121_haiti_damages_statement_UK.pdf