Home > Afghanistan’s commitment to counter illicit excavations and traffic of its cultural heritage - Updated: 12-05-2003 3:03 pm

30-11-2002 11:00 pm “Illicit excavations and looting of archeological sites in Afghanistan remain one of the most urgent and critical issues threatening our cultural heritage”, declared His Excellency Dr. Sayed Makhdoom Raheen, Minister of Information and Culture of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan, during his recent visit to Baghlan Province.     UNESCO joined the Minister’s 2-days visit, which aimed at assessing the amplitude and risks of the current illicit excavations in an area, where major archaeological sites - such as Sokh Kotal - are located.

The fall of the Taliban regime has created new hopes and opportunities to reverse more than 20 years of progressive deterioration of the state of Afghanistan’s cultural heritage. However, one year after the Talibans’ fall, illicit excavations and traffic of artifacts represent a key factor of continuous impoverishment of the country’s cultural heritage.

“Almost every week, provinces report cases of lootings. Illicit excavations are unfortunately a countrywide reality”, indicates Minister Raheen. There is strong evidence that on-going illicit excavations and traffic in Afghanistan are highly organized and rely on important networks, which involve a multitude of actors both inside and outside the country.

Countering such a complex phenomenon requires a multi-faceted response. The Government of Afghanistan is strongly committed to take action against illicit excavations and traffic and address impunity linked thereto. This will include a strengthened legal framework for the protection of cultural heritage in Afghanistan. It will also seek to raise attention and a sense of responsibility among the Afghans on their responsibilities to safeguard their own cultural heritage.

Last but not least, the Government intends to reinforce international co-operation to counter illicit traffic, in particular with major countries to which Afghan artifacts are being illegally exported. A first step in this direction is Afghanistan’s accession to the UNESCO 1970 Convention on Illicit Traffic and the 1995 UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen and Illegally Exported Cultural Objects. The Government has already indicated that this is one of its top priorities for the coming months.

Caption photo 1: Recently, stupas have been illicitly excavated in the area of Yakh-Dara, a Buddhist complex from the 3rd century. Here, Minister Raheen shows one of these stupas.

Caption photo 2 : This view from the Zoroastrian fire alter of the Sokh Kotal complex, shows how illicit digging has been undertaking under the alter, thus threatening the stability of the structure.
© UNESCO

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Source	UNESCO Kabul Office
Keywords	Cultural Heritage