In June of 2024, the Antiquities Coalition partnered with the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the Abu Dhabi Police to implement a joint two-day workshop on the Preservation of Cultural Property, Art, and Antiquities.

The United States is in a unique position to make a difference in the fight against cultural racketeering, making up 42% of the global art market.  However, the Gulf States are quickly becoming global players in this field with the creation of new and prominent museums, a booming art market, and increasing cultural tourism.  In particular, the United Arab Emirates is well-positioned to become a leader in the global fight against the illicit trafficking of art and artifacts.

Combatting cultural racketeering requires collaboration across disciplines, industries, the public and private sectors, and national borders.  The workshop recognized this global issue and covered a variety of topics including the problem of looting and trafficking, the legal framework that addresses these crimes, how to investigate these crimes from beginning to end, and how to work with SMEs and the heritage sector.

Antiquities trafficking is a crime first and foremost.  It may be described as a failure of governance, law, diplomacy, civil society, and markets, but it is not a preservation failure.  It cannot be solved by better archaeology, conservation, or restoration, but by strengthening law enforcement, international cooperation, and economic integrity.

Law enforcement are key partners in the fight against antiquities trafficking, as they are on the front lines of investigating and prosecuting international crimes in this field.

“The U.S. Mission to the UAE is proud to partner with each of the Saif bin Zayed Academy for Police and Security Sciences, Abu Dhabi Police, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Antiquities Coalition, as well as educational and cultural leaders, and non-government entities.  This whole-of-government and all-sector approach is the type of collaboration we need for sustainable and effective tactics to counter this problem.  The looting of cultural property and the illegal trade and smuggling of archaeological property and cultural materials erases our cultural heritage and degrades the study and appreciation of our collective past.  We all have a shared duty, and this initiative is part of our continued, collaborative effort to engage bilaterally and multilaterally, with government and non-government actors, to strengthen and unify our efforts to combat the illicit trafficking in antiquities and artifacts.” – DCM Eric Gaudiosi, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Mission to the UAE

“HSI Abu Dhabi stands ready to collaborate with US and International governmental and private sector entities to combat the destruction of cultural heritage sites, and the illicit trafficking of artifacts. Along with our State Department colleagues, the Antiquities Coalition and the Abu Dhabi Police we seek to seize the opportunity to raise awareness, and exchange knowledge and experiences in this significant field.” – DHS Regional Attaché Rebecca A. Peters

The Antiquities Coalition thanks all those who participated in this training, including representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Customs and Border Patrol, the American University in Sharjah, and the University of Qatar.  It would not have been possible without the invaluable contributions of law enforcement from both countries and the support of the U.S. Department of State

First virtual historical exhibition on Women in the Modern Era in Iraq is the latest effort from the AC’s Preserving the Culture of Religious Minorities Project

U.S. Consul General Mark Stroh

On June 9, 2024, the U.S. Consul General in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Mr. Mark Stroh, opened a first-of-its-kind hybrid exhibition called “Women in Modern History” at the Syriac Heritage Museum in Erbil, Iraq. The combination online and physical exhibition is the first virtual historical presentation about women in the modern era ever mounted in Iraq and includes a gallery exhibit of objects from the museum collection.

Mr. Kaldo Ramzi

“This is an exhibition of firsts,” said the Director General of Syriac Culture and Arts in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Mr. Kaldo Ramzi. “It is the first exhibit focused on women in history and their contribution to Syriac culture and society. Additionally, it is the first combination online and in-person exhibition for the museum, with the online component allowing us to reach a worldwide audience.”

“We are thrilled to be a part of bringing this exhibit to life, to highlight the historic contributions of the Syriac Community,” US Consul General Mark Stroh remarked. “This initiative stands as a testament to the remarkable power of collaboration. It has brought together partners from the U.S. Government, University of Dayton, Iraq, and the Antiquities Coalition to meticulously research and highlight the significant contributions of distinguished Syriac women.”

The exhibition is part of an on-going project to preserve and protect the culture of minority religious communities in northern Iraq, led by the Antiquities Coalition and funded by the United States Agency for International Development. Project partners include the Syriac Heritage Museum, the University of Dayton, the Assyrian Aid Society, the Centre Numérique des Manuscrits Orientaux, and the Sinjar Academy. U.S. Consul General Mark Stroh.

Co-curators Ms. Erin Pinto (right) and Ms. Charlotte Capuano

The co-curators of the online exhibition are University of Dayton students Erin Pinto and Charlotte Capuano, who created the online presentation under the direction of History Professor Alda Benjamen, the Research Director of the Antiquities Coalition project. It tells the stories of four leading women from the community.

Screenshot from the online exhibition

“Maria Theresa Asmar, Surma Khanum, Maryam Nerma, and Lillie Taimoorazy are important figures in the cultural, religious, and political currents that conditioned the formation of Iraq and the Middle East, whose impact on the indigenous and marginalized communities from which they emerged should not be underestimated.,” Dr. Benjamen explained. “Their fascinating lives and accomplishments underline the crucial role played by so many women, both within their own communities and beyond, and thus the importance of preserving their memory.”

Dr. Khanzad Ahmed (center

The President of the Supreme Council for Women and Development in the IKR, Dr. Khanzad Ahmed, joined the presentation alongside cultural and religious figures. It concluded with a call to action from Kaldo Ramzi, who urged “the preservation and digitization of all documents related to indigenous and marginalized communities as well as women in Iraq and the Middle East is everyone’s duty.”

“It’s a breakthrough,” said U.S.-based Project Director and Antiquities Coalition Co-founder, Peter Herdrich. “By creating an online exhibition, the history of women in Iraq is now available via the museum website to the local community, to the diaspora from the region, and to whomever is interested in learning more around the world.”

Government, diplomatic, cultural, and religious leaders with Syriac Museum staff

View the online exhibition at syriacmuseum.com/en/

Regional Forum Builds on the 2021 Manama Statement of Cooperation Between Both Governments

The illicit trade of art and antiquities is a threat to the preservation of cultural heritage around the world, making strong collaboration across national borders essential to fighting back.

Given that the United States makes up 42% of the global art market, and thus drives demand for antiquities both legal and unfortunately illegal, it’s uniquely positioned to make a difference. However, with a booming art market, the creation of new and prominent museums, and a strong push for cultural tourism, the Gulf States are quickly becoming key players. In particular, the Kingdom of Bahrain is now enjoying a prominent role in the art world, with strong ministerial leadership from the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities (BACA). 

The Antiquities Coalition (AC) and BACA, with generous support from the U.S. Embassy in Manama, were honored to organize the “2024 Forum on the Legal Framework for Cultural Heritage Protection.” This seminar brought together national experts, regional partners, and international organizations from February 4–5 at the Bahrain National Museum. It built directly on the 2021 Manama Statement, which strengthened bilateral ties between both governments in the fight against the illicit trade in cultural property. 

“Our strong partnership with the government of Bahrain on cultural preservation is a reflection of the breadth and strength of the U.S.-Bahrain relationship. We are blending cooperation on security, combating transnational crime, and cultural protection as two nations that are committed to respect for our common humanity,” said U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain, Steven Bondy, as he opened the event. 

The first day of the event focused on presentations explaining the current domestic law, proposed amendments, and relevant regional and international laws and best practices. On the second day, workshops explored: how the country’s developing cultural property law complements laws in key market jurisdictions, especially the United States, and fits within the global legal framework; how to strengthen international law enforcement cooperation; and how to build a responsible art market and museum community for the 21st century. 

Most participants attended in person from Bahrain and the wider Gulf, but the hybrid format allowed key individuals to join from the United States, as well as some international observers from around the world.

While this forum is an important step, there is work to be done to continue these collaborative efforts around the globe and foster a stronger international approach to the fight against this illicit trade. 

“This forum, the first of its kind, allows experts to present and discuss key topics related to national and international law, to determine challenges and opportunities. Through this action, Bahrain and the United States will not only be following up on the commitments made in the Manama Statement, but filling an urgent need to better understand and collaborate on strengthening the legal framework, which we hope will serve as an inspiration for others in the region and the world.” -Tess Davis, Executive Director, Antiquities Coalition

The United States and Bahrain will continue working towards our shared goal of cultural heritage protection.  This is a topic covered during the annual U.S.-Bahrain strategic dialogue and at a working level between law enforcement, academia, museums, and cultural institutions.  Ongoing communication and increased awareness of the illicit trafficking in cultural properties are essential to combating this practice. The AC looks forward to supporting this critical collaboration.

Learn more: https://www.alayam.com/online/local/1055069/News.html