Unidroit Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects

The Unidroit Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects is an international agreement established in 1995 by the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (Unidroit). This convention aims to regulate the international trade of cultural objects, defining them as items of importance for archaeology, prehistory, history, literature, art, or science.1

Under this convention, a claimant must prove that an object was illegally taken and is of cultural significance for its return. Purchasers of illegally exported cultural items may be compensated if they can demonstrate they were unaware the item was stolen. As of early 2023, 54 states were contracting parties to this convention. This convention works alongside the 1970 UNESCO Convention to combat the illicit trade in cultural property.12