Peer furious at UK ‘dithering’ over treaty to protect cultural heritage

http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/apr/18/lord-renfrew-iraq-nimrud-hague-isis-islamic-state

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One of Britain’s foremost archaeologists has voiced his fury over the government’s apparent refusal to ratify an international treaty to protect cultural property.

Lord Renfrew of Kaimsthorn, a Conservative peer and Cambridge academic, said the world had watched in horror as Isis militants destroyed ancient artefacts in Iraq. Yet, he said, Britain “dithered” rather than join other countries in ratifying the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, which was adopted at The Hague in 1954. He told the Observer: “It seems outrageous that Britain doesn’t adhere to the convention, which makes it illegal to do those things in Iraq.”

Referring to the destruction of treasures in the Mosul museum, as well as Nimrud and the palace of King Ashurnasirpal II, he said: “There is Britain twiddling its thumbs.”

More than 120 countries, including the US, have recognised the importance of the convention. Renfrew said: “It seems astonishing Britain has not yet ratified the convention. We used to be told it’s because the US hasn’t signed and we shared their reservations. Well, the US did ratify it several years ago. It makes it difficult for the government to subscribe to any international protest.”

It means Britain has no legal position on the issue, he said. “It is pathetic beyond belief … Of course, it can’t ratify it before there’s a new parliament, but I think it is a disgrace that it hasn’t done so already. Britain is left looking very exposed, and indeed, very dilatory.

“The convention was adopted in The Hague in 1954 after the massive destruction of cultural heritage during the second world war. Britain had long argued that it “did not provide an effective regime for the protection of cultural property”. But in 1999, a protocol with which it was involved in negotiating set out “clear criminal sanctions”.

Yet, the website of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) still only confirms a commitment “to introducing legislation” to ratify the convention – adding that it will happen when parliamentary time allows.

Renfrew, who plans to raise the issue in the House of Lords, said: “Just before the closure of the last parliament, they were kicking their heels trying to find something to debate. So, to [blame] a lack of parliamentary time is the world’s weakest excuse.”

Criticising the DCMS as “not the most dynamic of government departments”, he described its failure over the issue as “pathetic – it leaves Britain looking shamefully inept”.

The delaying tactics were all the more extraordinary, he said, considering there was no financial cost: “We live in times of austerity but, if they can’t even be bothered to sign up for the Hague convention, heaven help us.”