New Law Cracks Down on Funding Source for ISIS While Protecting Syria’s Cultural Heritage
Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today welcomed the President’s signature into law of Rep. Engel’s legislation to crack down on the sale of artifacts looted by ISIS from cultural sites in Syria. The Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act would contribute to the comprehensive policy of degrading and destroying ISIS without risking American lives or costing American taxpayers.
The new law imposes tough new import restrictions on antiquities that are trafficked out of Syria, bringing U.S. policy in line with a UN Security Council Resolution that called on governments to deny funding to ISIS by preventing trade in Iraqi and Syrian cultural property.
“As part of America’s effort to degrade and destroy ISIS, we need to do all we can to cut off resources for this terrorist group. Today, we’re putting a new tool to use. My legislation will crack down on the trafficking of looted Syrian artifacts, which has put millions of dollars in the hands of ISIS extremists,” said Rep. Engel. “This legislation has earned support from lawmakers of both parties and in both Houses, as well as numerous cultural heritage preservation groups. I want to thank the President for signaling his support as well, and for signing this bill into law.”
On June 1, 2015, Representative Engel’s legislation unanimously passed the House. The Senate approved a slightly modified version of the legislation on April 13, which the House passed by voice vote on April 26.
The law imposes new import restrictions on cultural artifacts removed from Syria. Similar restrictions were enacted in 2004 with respect to Iraqi antiquities. The law provides exceptions to allow artifacts to enter the United States for temporary protection and restoration. Restrictions will remain in effect until the crisis in Syria is resolved and America is able to work with a future Syrian government to protect cultural property from trafficking under a bilateral agreement, in accordance with America’s national interests.
Additionally, the law expresses support for a new interagency coordinating body to enhance cooperation among the government agencies, including the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security, already working on cultural preservation issues. It also takes steps to enhance Congressional oversight of this issue.
Representative Engel introduced the Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act along with Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs; Rep. William R. Keating (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade; and Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Chair of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations.
No comments:
Post a Comment