70 years of the 1954 Hague Convention
2024 marks the 70th anniversary of the 1954 Hague Convention and the 25th anniversary of the Second Protocol of 1999. The Protection of Cultural Property section at the Federal Office for Civil Protection is taking part in the celebrations with various events and information sessions for the public.
On 14 May 1954, the adoption of an international treaty in The Hague sealed what had long been a humanitarian concern - to better protect cultural heritage from damage, destruction and looting during armed conflicts. This was triggered by the massive devastation caused by the Second World War to the cultural assets of numerous population groups and thus to the cultural heritage of mankind as a whole. On 24 March 1999, the Second Protocol to the Convention came into force in the aftermath of the Yugoslav Wars. More relevant today than ever before, multinational cooperation demonstrates the collective will to preserve cultural heritage for all mankind and to firmly protect cultural property in armed conflicts, natural disasters and emergencies.
The Protection of Cultural Property section at the Federal Office of Civil Protection FOCP is joining the international celebrations around the double anniversary and taking part in the global survey on the status of implementation of both conventions.
Find out more about one of the most important international cultural conventions, how it came about and why a second protocol became necessary 25 years ago. The current conflict-ridden situation throughout the world and the increasing number of natural disasters and emergencies are threatening our cultural property and presenting us with completely new challenges. During the celebratory events you can learn what measures are being taken to protect cultural property and how Switzerland is also preparing for emergency situations. Take part in the preservation of our cultural heritage!
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