Legal Protection of Cultural Heritage under the Iraqi Laws in Force

Abstract

All peoples are keen to protect their cultural, civilizational and human heritage, which includes a collection of real estate monuments, archaeological excavations, cities, neighborhoods, historical buildings, masterpieces, documents, manuscripts and everything that reflects the history of nations and peoples and establishes their experiences and expertise, the phases of their progress, and their human contribution represented by the accumulations resulting from social, economic, professional, intellectual and cultural behaviors over periods of time in which these behaviors prevailed. Cultural heritage must be protected in the aftermath of wars, as it holds great civilizational importance and must be preserved and taken into account. The political philosophy of each country has played a key role in the disparity in the legislative protection of heritage, cultural and civilizational heritage, especially those that have been and continue to suffer from repeated attacks on them through the looting and theft of their artistic wealth and antiquities and their illegal trafficking. We will discuss the legal protection of cultural heritage in Iraqi legislation, for example, the protection in the Iraqi Penal Code and other laws related to this matter.