OSCE Mission to BiH supports 'Missing Works of Art' exhibition

OSCE u BiH

With the support of the OSCE, the BiH Parliamentary Assembly hosted the exhibition called “Missing Works of Art” on Tuesday, focusing on the importance of protecting cultural property and works of art in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the steps needed to ensure such protection.

In opening the exhibit, Kathleen Kavalec, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH said, “It is important that BiH implement international and European standards for the protection of cultural property and works of art. Needed steps include the development and harmonization of appropriate legislation, the creation of relevant records and databases, and building capacity and empowering law enforcement bodies to undertake protective measures, including through cooperation with INTERPOL.”

"Many valuable BiH works of art & cultural/historical artifacts are missing," says @KathleenKavalec at opening of “Missing Works of Art” Exhib at #ParlamentBiH. "BiH needs effective tools & laws to combat this crime; @OSCEBiH is ready to help." @SasaMagazinovic @IRIglobal #CPKU pic.twitter.com/jMaVrPBcQ9

— OSCE Mission to BiH ?? (@OSCEBiH) November 30, 2021

Currently, Bosnia and Herzegovina lacks a state-level National Database on Missing Works of Art. According to the data of the Centre against Trafficking in Works of Art, and based on claims submitted to relevant authorities, 179 artworks are known to be missing from several institutions, including the Art Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the International Portrait Gallery, Tuzla Centre for Culture, the Museum of Eastern Bosnia and the Museum of Literature and Performing Arts.

Earlier this year the Mission carried out a public awareness campaign on the need to address illicit trafficking of cultural property, focusing on the nature and consequences of this criminal activity, the roles and responsibilities of different actors; including that of the public, and the significance of protecting cultural heritage. The campaign also provided guidance on reporting suspected cases of trafficking, through the State Investigation and Protection Agency’s Krimolovci hotline — and in doing so helped advance security provision prospects and improve security sector governance.

Besides the OSCE the exhibition was supported by the International Republican Institute, the Group of Friends of Members of Parliament on European Integration and Security and the Centre against Trafficking in Works of Art that opened at the BiH Parliamentary Assembly on 30 November 2021.