Swiss target illicit online sales of treasures
Swiss authorities and the online trading platform eBay have agreed to crack down on the illicit sale of cultural property over the internet.
The deal obliges eBay to tighten its monitoring of the trade in archaeological goods amid reports of an increase in illegal trafficking of stolen treasures – including art objects, statues, ceramics, religious relics and coins.
Three years ago a law banning the illegal trafficking of cultural property came into force in Switzerland – one of the world’s top four trade hubs for art objects.
The agreement was signed on Wednesday and is the first of its kind, the Federal Culture Office said on Thursday.
In a three-month trial to begin on July 1 eBay, in cooperation with archaeologists and the Federal Police and Culture offices, will examine online offers of cultural goods.
People offering such goods for sale will have to provide an official document from the archaeological services. Receipts or customs papers will no longer be sufficient.
“The aim of the trial is to limit or stop altogether the illegal sale of cultural property,” said Yves Fischer of the Culture Office.
He expects the test phase to show whether tougher measures are needed.
“I would not be surprised if this were the case. There has been a series of cases of suspected trafficking over the internet. But we cannot put a figure to it yet,” he added.
The federal authorities have investigated some 300 suspected cases of illegal trafficking of cultural property over the past three years. Criminal proceedings were launched in 75 cases, including the planned sale of ancient tablets from Iraq last December.
Responsibilities
The agreement was hailed by the Culture Office and eBay.
“It is of great importance for us. Switzerland can prove that it is taking the problem of illegal trafficking seriously,” said Fischer.
The international police organisation, Interpol, in March urged countries to take action in line with recommendations by the United Nations culture agency, Unesco.
“The agreement is our own interest, because we want to be a clean trading platform,” said Sabine Schneider, spokeswoman of eBay in Switzerland.
But she argues the online auction house cannot verify if all the goods on sale are of legal origin.
“We don’t have the means to check everything. We depend on close cooperation with the authorities.”
She adds that there there are six million new offers on eBays sites worldwide every day.
eBay is willing to change the general terms and conditions for customers if necessary, Schneider says.
For his part Fischer says every provider must abide by minimal standards and have some kind of risk management.
He points out a recent court ruling on online sales of fake products in France. Fischer is confident that Switzerland’s example will encourage other countries to follow suit.
“Germany and Austria are to launch similar monitoring trials with online auction houses and I’m confident France will join soon.”
swissinfo, Urs Geiser
Switzerland approved an international convention against illegal trafficking of cultural property in 2003.
The legislation, which is in line with the Unesco convention, took effect in June 2005. It obliges art dealers and auction houses to identify customers. Foreign owners of stolen artwork have 30 years to lodge claims.
The authorities have since launched criminal proceedings in 75 cases of suspected smuggling of cultural goods.
Switzerland has restored cultural property to Greece, Turkey and Peru.
Last month Switzerland and Italy signed a bilateral accord on the restitution of cultural goods.
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