UNESCO Calls For Ban On Haitian Art Trade

PARIS - THE UN culture agency, Unesco, said on Sunday it was pushing for an international ban on trade in Haitian artefacts to discourage pillaging following the massive earthquake in the Caribbean nation.

UNESCO director general Irina Bokova has asked international forces in Haiti to ensure the security of museums and other buildings containing artefacts, a statement said.



'It is important to prevent treasure hunters from rifling through the rubble of the numerous cultural landmarks that collapsed in the earthquake,' said the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

Ms Bokova was also taking steps to encourage the art market and museum professionals to verify the origin of cultural property up for sale, especially on the Internet.

The 7.0-magnitude quake that hit Haiti on January 12 killed around 170,000 people, injured around 200,000 and left more than one million homeless. -- AFP

Source: ArtForum