Cultural heritage smuggling and the nexus with terrorism

The report "Cultural Heritage Smuggling and the Nexus with Terrorism" delves into the intricate and pervasive issue of cultural heritage smuggling, with a specific focus on antiquities. This report highlights the significant connection between this illegal trade and terrorism, showcasing how terrorist and insurgent groups leverage profitable illegal markets to finance their activities and further their agendas. Cultural heritage smuggling is not a new phenomenon. It spans millennia, dating back to ancient empires and the colonial era, when the looting of treasures was rampant. Throughout history, various actors, not just insurgent groups, have posed a persistent threat by engaging in the illicit trade of cultural properties. The motivation behind smuggling and the destruction of cultural heritage extends beyond financial gain. Militant groups use these acts to assert political control by erasing symbols of identity. The report traces the evolution of cultural property as a revenue source for non-state armed groups, beginning in the early 1980s with drug trafficking organizations and insurgent groups in Latin America, and warlords in Africa and Afghanistan.

55 p.

9789211065961