Cultural property is protected during warfare

The protection of cultural property during armed conflict is based on the principle that:

damage to the cultural property of any people means damage to the cultural heritage of all mankind

(1954 Hague Convention)

Cultural property is protected during war in two ways. Because it is normally civilian in nature, the general provisions of humanitarian law protecting civilian property apply.

Specific protection recognizing the cultural heritage of every people is enshrined in the 1954 Hague Convention for the protection of cultural property during armed conflict, which was complemented by the 1977 Additional Protocols, and has become part of customary international law.

More about the protection of cultural property in the event of armed conflict>