Whose Cultural Objects? Introducing Heritage Title for Cross-Border Cultural Property Claims
Journal: Netherlands International Law Review
Year: 2020

Abstract Cultural objects have a special, protected, status because of their intangible ‘heritage’ value to people, as symbols of an identity. This has been so since the first days of international law and, today, there is an extensive legal framework to protect cultural objects and to prohibit looting. Despite this, for as long as demand exists and profits are high, cultural objects continue to be looted, smuggled and traded. At some point, their character tends to change from protected heritag