US Joins 121 Nations in Protection of Antiquities

Archaeological Institute of America Lawyers’ Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation U.S. Committee for the Blue Shield

The Archaeological Institute of America, the Lawyers’ Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation, and the U.S. Committee for the Blue Shield announce that the United States Senate voted on September 25 to give its advice and consent to ratification of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

The United States now joins 121 other nations in becoming a party to this historic treaty which establishes the principles for protecting cultural sites, monuments and collections during both armed conflict and military occupation. By taking this significant step, the United States demonstrates its commitment to the preservation of the world’s cultural, artistic, religious and historic legacy.

The Statement of the Archaeological Institute of America, the Lawyers’ Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation, and the U.S. Committee for the Blue Shield urging Senate ratification, joined by twelve other cultural preservation organizations, is available at: http://www.culturalheritagelaw.org/advocacy.

For further information, contact:
Lawyers’ Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation: Patty Gerstenblith, President: 312/362-6175; pgers...@depaul.edu U.S. Committee for the Blue Shield: Corine Wegener, President: 612-870-3292.