Illicit trafficking of cultural property

Illicit trafficking is a global phenomenon that devastates cultural property in all countries. The protection, conservation and enhancement of cultural heritage constitute, for the States, a challenge in the face of the illicit traffic of cultural goods. This scourge, which affects countries in different ways, impoverishes the scientific value of sites and museum collections. The fight against the traffic of cultural goods brings together different personalities by their specialties: the police, the customs, the museum communities, the university communities, etc. But they manage to collaborate around a common objective, namely the safeguarding, protection and enhancement of cultural heritage. It is therefore understandable that the illicit traffic of cultural goods causes significant damage to the cultural heritage of peoples. One can only estimate the extent of the damage, because in reality the damage caused by the illicit traffic of cultural goods can in no way be quantified.