International protection for Italian monuments: call for ministerial

Protecting Italian monuments in conflict: a call to the Ministry

Recent geopolitical developments have highlighted that cultural heritage protection is an urgent strategic issue. A formal request has been addressed to the Culture Minister to strengthen international safeguards for Italy's monumental sites in case of armed conflict, promoting the use of mechanisms provided by international law.

Legal framework and current gaps

Protection of cultural property during armed conflict is grounded in instruments such as the Hague Convention of 1954 and its Second Protocol (1999), which establishes the regime of enhanced protection for assets of outstanding universal value. Although Italy has ratified these instruments, only a very limited number of sites have been placed under this regime, despite the country's exceptional cultural density.

Why action is urgent

• Monuments, archives, libraries and historic centres face increasing exposure to damage in conflict contexts.
• Enhanced protection provides a stricter immunity regime that forbids attacks and military use except in extremely limited circumstances.
• Without systematic identification and nomination, many sites of universal value remain at risk.

Recommended measures

• National survey: launch a structured inventory of monumental sites with potential international significance.
• Technical assessment: evaluate eligibility for enhanced protection and prepare robust nomination dossiers.
• Institutional coordination: establish shared procedures between the ministry, local authorities and security forces for preventive protection.
• Emergency planning: develop operational plans to safeguard archives, libraries and collections during crises.
• Technical support: engage scientific networks and specialist organisations to provide expertise and field verification.

The proposal highlights the readiness to offer technical skills and a territorial network to assist the selection and nomination process. An explanatory brief outlining the legal and operational aspects of international protection in conflict scenarios has also been prepared.

Conclusion: a proactive, coordinated strategy is needed to ensure that Italy's most significant monuments receive effective international protection. The appeal calls on the Culture Ministry to start a systematic process to identify and nominate candidate sites for enhanced protection without delay.