The bill proposes that Sweden ratify the Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 14 May 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (the 1954 Hague Convention). Sweden signed it on 26 March 1999 and the protocol creates enhanced protection of cultural property in the event of an armed conflict and occupation. The Second Protocol entered into force on 9 March 2004. The bill contains proposals for the legislative measures required for Sweden to fulfil its obligations under the protocol. A new provision is introduced in the Cultural Environment Act (1988:950) which means that it will be a criminal offence to use cultural property that is of the utmost importance to humanity for military measures. An amendment is also made to the Act (2014:406) on Punishment for Genocide, Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes, which means that the penal provision on war crimes is extended to include all such property protected by the 1954 Hague Convention and the Second Protocol.
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