UNESCO fears Haiti cultural heritage might be pillaged

UNESCO has launched a campaign to protect Haiti's cultural heritage fearing that art collections might be looted from quake-damaged museums, galleries and churches.

UNESCO has launched a campaign to protect Haiti's cultural heritage fearing that art collections might be looted from quake-damaged museums, galleries and churches.

In her letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, UN Director-General Irina Bokova asked for his help "to ensure, as far as possible, the immediate security of the sites containing these artifacts."

She also said the Security Council should adopt a resolution imposing a temporary ban on the trade or transfer of Haitian cultural objects. Interpol, the World Customs Organization (WCO) and other institutions should assist in implementing the ban.

"It is particularly important to verify the origin of cultural property that might be imported, exported and/or offered for sale, especially on the Internet," Bokova said.

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake and a series of powerful aftershocks devastated Haiti on January 12-14. The latest official reports indicate that about 170,000 bodies have been counted so far, although estimates of the final death toll in the earthquake range up to 250,000.

Though the many Haitian landmarks, including those on the UNESCO World Heritage List, have been spared by the quake, numerous buildings lie in rubble, including the former Presidential Palace and the Port-au-Prince Cathedral.

NEW YORK, January 30 (RIA Novosti)