The ICOM International Observatory on Illicit Traffic in Cultural Goods is a collaborative platform for international organisations, law enforcement agencies, research institutions, experts and stakeholders in the field. http://obs-traffic.museum/
It is a publication of articles by renowned experts, edited by France Desmarais, Director of Programmes at ICOM. http://obs-traffic.museum/sites/defaul
t/files/ressources/files/Book_observatory_illicit_traffic_version%20issuu.pdf
It is an innovative tool that contributes to preventing and fighting the illegal trade in cultural property and related crimes at both national and international levels. Article 17 of the 1970 UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property mentions the possibility for relevant organisations to conduct studies on matters relating to the illicit movement of cultural property. In creating the International Observatory on Illicit Traffic in Cultural Goods, ICOM started a continuous process of extensive research and reporting, in close cooperation with a wide range of international partners. The International Observatory on Illicit Traffic in Cultural Goods was initially a three-year project which was initiated in January 2013 on the initiative of ICOM and with the financial support of the Prevention of and Fight against Crime Programme of the European Commission’s Directorate-General Home Affairs. Through a daily monitoring, the International Observatory is gathering and compiling an unprecedented amount of information regarding illicit traffic in cultural goods. The acquired information has been used to implement a dedicated Website, which aims at disseminating all the information available and acting as an activity hub for ICOM and its partners in this fight. This three-year project provides a unique monitoring activity which will lead to the publication of a book on the worldwide issue of illegal traffic in cultural property. The International Observatory on Illicit Traffic in Cultural Goods also intends to create a strong network of project partners who will contribute to the development of the Website and the publication of the final Global Report. In this regard, several work meetings will be organised at ICOM General Secretariat with the partners of the project. The project partners of the International Observatory, originating from international organisations, national law enforcement agencies, specialized research institutions and state administrations, are divided into two categories: the Consulting and the Editorial Committee. Both committees will help ICOM develop and improve the Observatory Website during the first 24 months of the project, whereas the Editorial Committee will pursue its participation in coordinating the conception of the Global Report during the third year. In addition, ICOM General Secretariat will conduct a series of field missions in several strategic countries either very affected by the problem or with developed infrastructures and services at their disposal to fight it. These missions will be an occasion to meet law enforcement agencies, custom officers, public officers, heritage and art professionals, researchers, representatives of national NGOs, journalists, etc. in order to discuss the situation of the traffic in the country as well as the methodology and tools developed in the country to counter it.
