The UNIDROIT Convention: attempting to regulate the international trade and traffic of cultural property

International art theft and illegal trafficking of cultural property has reached epidemic proportions. In value transferred, the illicit art trade ranks second only to narcotics trafficking.

Art theft is rampant in many countries that are rich in art and archaeological resources, and stolen pieces are rarely recovered. Furthermore, current statistics do not reflect the countless archeological artifacts which are secretly excavated and illegally exported every year. Intensifying the problem are conflicting laws among nations regarding property rights and the export of cultural property which often facilitate art theft and illicit trade of cultural objects. The recent removal of internal borders within the newly formed European Union has made illegal export of cultural property even easier. Consequently, the member states of the European Union have sought increased protection of their cultural property.