Italy Ratifies Nicosia Convention to Protect Cultural Heritage
The Nicosia Convention on Offences relating to Cultural Property received approval from Italy's Chamber of Deputies, with a decisive vote of 376 in favor, no opposition, and 2 abstentions. This agreement, signed in 2017 by twelve countries, requires the establishment of laws aimed at safeguarding cultural property from theft, damage, and trafficking. Italy becomes the 13th nation to ratify the convention, joining the ranks of Cyprus, Greece, Armenia, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, Montenegro, Latvia, and Mexico. Following the unanimous decision, Culture Minister Dario Franceschini commended the vote and expressed optimism about a proposed bill to enhance penalties for crimes against cultural heritage, which is currently under review in parliament.
Key facts
- Italy's Chamber of Deputies ratified the Nicosia Convention with 376 votes in favor, none against, and 2 abstentions.
- The convention was signed in Nicosia, Cyprus, in 2017 by 12 Council of Europe nations.
- It had not entered into force due to lack of ratification by a fifth state.
- Italy is the 13th signatory to ratify, after Cyprus, Greece, Armenia, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, Hungary, Russia, Ukraine, Montenegro, Latvia, and Mexico.
- The convention requires states to criminalize theft, illegal excavation, illegal import/export, and trafficking of cultural property.
- Culture Minister Dario Franceschini commented on the ratification, highlighting bipartisan unity on cultural heritage.
- Franceschini and former Justice Minister Andrea Orlando promoted a bill to introduce 19 articles on 'Crimes against Cultural Heritage' into the Penal Code.
- The bill to increase penalties for cultural heritage crimes is currently under parliamentary review.
Entities
Institutions
- Council of Europe
- Chamber of Deputies (Italy)
- Senate (Italy)
- Ministero della cultura (Italy)
Locations
- Italy
- Nicosia
- Cyprus
- Latvia
- Greece
- Mexico
- Armenia
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Slovenia
- Hungary
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Montenegro