Co-submitters are any delegates who have either participated in the construction of this resolution (e.g. merging, contributing clauses) or alternatively have signed that they would like to see this resolution debated in committee.

FORUM: SPECPOL

TQO: RETURNING ARTEFACTS TO THEIR COUNTIES OF ORIGIN

Main Submitter: Ukraine

Co-Submitters: The Republic of Turkey, Denmark, People's Republic of China, Republic of India, Federative Republic of Brazil,

THE SPECIAL POLITICAL AND DECONLIZATION COMMITTEE,

Defining "country of origin" as the country that, according to the UN, owns the territory where the item was found,

Further defining "illegally obtained" and "illegitimately obtained" as objects taken without the permission of the then independent ruling body of the country, and kept without the permission of any ruling bodies since, or taken during an invasion or colonisation,and kept without the permission of any ruling body of the country of origin since,

Believing that a nation has exclusive rights over any artefacts originating from the nation, that have not been freely and willingly given away,

Further believing in the right of a nation to know and celebrate its culture, heritage, and history, and the importance of historical artefacts to a nation,

Classifies an artefact as "an item crafted by humans, such as a tool or work of art, particularly one of archeological importance",

Hopes that countries involved in disputes over artefacts will discuss and settle disputes diplomatically,

1.Calls for any nation in possession of illegally obtained historical and/or cultural artefacts originating from other countries to return the artefacts if the country of origin requests,

 

2.Promotesthe creation of a new UN subbody known as the UN Committee for the International  Returning of Artefacts (UNCIRA) this subbody would work with historians globally to identify:

 

1. the true origin of artifacts

2. the difference between legitimately and illegitimately obtained cultural and/or historical artefacts

3. the circumstances of how artefacts were obtained, to determine their rightful owner 

4. How  nations can return artefacts if deemed unfairly obtained 

5. if LEDCs require support to transport artifacts;

 

3.Requests for economic sanctions to be placed upon countries who fail to return artefacts to their original country when instructed to, by the UNICRA,

 

4.Reaffirmsthat cultures should have exclusive ownership over their cultural and/or historical artefacts they have not freely and willingly given away, including but not limited to:

1. the continued profiting from showcasing said disputed artefacts in/by a foreign museum

2. the current location of said artefacts;

5.Further suggests that all member states who have laws and/or policies against the repatriation of artefacts to their country of origin reconsider these laws to allow for member nations to request the return of their original artefacts;

 

6.Advises that states involved in disputed ownership, financially support the transportation of potentially fragile artefacts back to their countries of origin, particultary to those without the ability to transport potentially fragile artefacts themselves;

 

7.Further advises countries to support NGOs which assist in repatriation of relics;

 

8.Provide funds to countries like LEDCs that cannot afford actions such as but not limited to:

1. Enabling conservation works to carry out on artefacts in need of support,

2. Showcase artefacts along with their history and culture;

 

10. Furtheradvises countries that have returned artefacts provide conservation and preservation experts to inform the country of origin of how to best preserve their artefacts.