International Protection of Cultural Property
The Confederation has expertise in the area of cultural property protection at both national as well as international levels. It collaborates with partners in Switzerland and abroad, namely international organisations, other federal agencies and cantonal authorities, as well as cultural institutions, specialist circles, and universities.
As a competence centre of the Swiss Confederation, the Cultural Property Protection Division in the Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP) represents Switzerland to foreign authorities in matters relating to the protection of cultural property in armed conflicts, disasters, and emergencies.
Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict
In 1962 and 2004, Switzerland ratified the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its two protocols of 1954 and 1999. The Convention and its Protocols are not directly applicable.
Safe Haven for Cultural Property
At the request of a third country, Switzerland provides a safe haven for the safeguarding of cultural property threatened by armed conflict, disasters, or emergencies.
Enhanced Protection
The Second Protocol of 1999 to the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict introduced the status of enhanced protection. UNESCO maintains a List of Cultural Property under Enhanced Protection.
Contact
Guisanplatz 1B
CH - 3003 Bern