The UNIDROIT Convention

The adoption in June 1995 of a new international convention, the UNIDROIT Convention on the International Return of Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects will no doubt significantly reinforce Cambodia's capacities to effectively fight against the illicit trade of cultural objects and obtain their restitution in a context of enhanced international cultural cooperation. The convention has however not yet entered into force and is therefore not yet applicable. The UNIDROIT convention will mark the creation of a new international legal framework for the protection of cultural property. It will complement the existing UNESCO Convention of 1970 by extending some of the regulations on return and restitution of cultural objects to cover objects originating from illegal excavations as well as objects not properly recorded in inventories. For Cambodia these measures are of great significance. Signatory to the three major conventions concerning the protection of cultural heritage, and with UNIDROIT on the horizon, Cambodia can now negotiate viably in this domain with its more modernized and powerful near and distant neighbors.