ROME – In a prominent interview with Italy's national television, the world-renowned Egyptian archaeologist, Dr. Zahi Hawass, issued a powerful plea for the protection of human heritage. He called for an urgent international symposium, with the participation of UNESCO, to reconsider international laws he described as "unjust," noting that they represent a major obstacle to the recovery of smuggled and stolen artifacts from Egypt, Italy, and across the globe.
The interviewer introduced Dr. Hawass as the "most famous and significant archaeologist in the world," emphasizing the profound international respect he commands as an icon for safeguarding human civilization.
A Call for Legal Reform
During the interview, Dr. Hawass asserted that current international regulations favor museums and entities holding artifacts acquired through illegal means. He called for the drafting of a new global charter to facilitate the return of these treasures to their countries of origin, highlighting the Egyptian-Italian cooperation in this field as a model for combating antiquity trafficking.
Protecting Heritage in Conflict Zones
In a significant humanitarian and cultural gesture, Hawass expressed his deep concern over the threats facing archaeological heritage in Lebanon, Iran, Syria, and Iraq due to the devastating impact of ongoing wars and conflicts. He issued an urgent appeal to the Arab League for immediate intervention and coordination with UNESCO to establish an emergency plan to protect these historical sites from destruction and looting, stating that the loss of such heritage is an irreparable blow to all of humanity.
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