The 1954 Hague Convention aims to protect cultural property, such as monuments of architecture, art or history, archaeological sites, works of art, manuscripts, books and other objects of artistic, historical or archaeological interest, as well as scientific collections of all kinds, regardless of their origin or ownership.
State Parties are committed to take preventive measures, such as preparing inventories, planning emergency measures to protect property from the risk of fire or building collapse, and preparing for the movement of cultural property to safe places.The Parties also need to develop strategies to guarantee the respect of cultural property on their territory or on the territory of other Contracting States. This implies refraining from using such property in a manner that could expose it to destruction or degradation in the event of armed conflict, and refraining from any hostile act directed against it. The Convention also requires the creation of special units in the military forces responsible for the protection of cultural property,as well as the provision of a place for potential housing of mobile cultural property.
Law 1114/1981 (6/Α/8-1-1981) ratifies the Convention “for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict”, signed at The Hague on 14 May 1954.
