Doppeltes Jubiläum: zur Umsetzung der UNESCO Konvention von 2001 über den Schutz des Unterwasser-Kulturerbes in der Schweiz

2021 marks the tenth anniversary of the inscription of the “Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps” as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At the same time, the 2001 UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage looks back on its 20th anniversary. Switzerland ratified the Convention in 2020 and took part in the Assembly of States Parties for the first time as a new member in June 2021. Time for a brief look at the implementation of the Convention in Switzerland. The agreement puts the protection of cultural heritage discovered under water into concrete terms. It lays down principles for action, promotes cooperation, research and awareness-raising, and combats looting, illegal trade and destruction. It creates rules for the marine area that are binding under international law and introduces a reporting obligation.