UNESCO's Bokova Calls for Ban on Pillage of Haiti Cultural Treasure

UNESCO's Director-General, Irina Bokova, is making efforts to preserve Haiti’s cultural heritage in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake. Photo by BGNES

UNESCO is launching a campaign to protect Haiti’s moveable heritage, per the initiative of its Director General, Irina Bokova.

Bokova and the organization insist on a ban of the export and trade of art collections in the country’s damaged museums, galleries and churches, and their pillaging.

The Director General has written to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, asking for his support in preventing the dispersion of Haiti’s cultural heritage.

“I would be most grateful if you would request Mr John Holmes, your Special Envoy for Haiti and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian affairs, as well as the relevant authorities in charge of the overall coordination of UN humanitarian support in Port-au-Prince – the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the Department of Peace Keeping Operations (DPKO) – to ensure, as far as possible, the immediate security of the sites containing these artifacts,” Bokova writes.

At the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, the UNESCO Director General pointed out that the organization is issuing the appeal in the aftermath of the pillage in Iraq which began after the US military entered the country in 2003.

In an interview for France Press, Bokova announced UNESCO is sending teams of experts to the earthquake ravaged country to assist the local people in preserving their cultural heritage.

UNESCO is further preparing an emergency plan to restore Haiti’s education system.

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