IFLA Council resolution on Libraries in Iraq August 2003, Berlin, Germany

Librarians around the world were shocked by the images of destruction caused to archives, libraries and other cultural institutions in the aftermath of the war in Iraq.

Those privileged to be able to attend the session on Iraq at our World Library and Information Congress in Berlin last month, when Jean-Marie Arnoult presented his report, were further moved by his description of the situation he found as a member of the UNESCO mission and the photographs he showed.

The situation was a constant topic of conversation throughout the congress.
Three resolutions on the situation in Iraq were submitted for consideration by Council. They were consolidated into one resolution, which was adopted nem con (without dissent).

• the appeal to governments which have not yet ratified The Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, and its Second Protocol, to do so,
• the encouragement of governments to take measures to combat illicit trade in cultural heritage,
• the call to establish national Blue Shield committees in countries where they do not yet exist, and
• the call for commitment to contribute to the restoration of Iraq’s libraries.

IFLA looks forward to receive a report from IFLA National Association Members, in due course, on the action you have taken to implement this resolution, so that we can report to the International Committee of the Blue Shield, as required by the resolution.

The full text of the resolution