In November 1993 the Law Ministers of the Commonwealth, meeting in Mauritius, agreed to a scheme for the protection of the "Material Cultural Heritage" of member states. The Mauritius Scheme is not an internationally binding obligation, but rather provides a framework in intra-Commonwealth legal relations. The provisions of the scheme "govern the return by one Commonwealth country of an item of cultural heritage found within its jurisdiction following export from another Commonwealth country contrary to its laws."
Source: O'Keefe, P. J., "Mauritius Scheme for the Protection of Material Cultural Heritage," International Journal of Cultural Property, No. 2, Vol. 3, 1994, 295-300
