French President Hollande Offers 'Asylum' to Artworks Threatened by Islamic State
- November 18, 2015 15:28
In a speech to the UN cultural body on Tuesday, French President Francois Hollande said he would introduce "Right to asylum" for artworks and cultural objects threatened by destruction or illegal sale by Islamic State (IS) miltants. The measure is to stem the activity of militants who have destroyed or sold on the black market an unknown amount of objects from IS-held regions in Syria, Iraq, and other countries.
The announcement comes four days after IS-affiliated assailants attacked Paris, killing 132 people.
Customs checks in Europe will be stepped up.
Hollande said "the right to asylum applies to people... but asylum also applies to works, world heritage", reports the AFP.
