159/1991.
The COMMUNICATION FROM the
the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the June 16. November
1972 was taken in Paris Convention for the protection of the world cultural and
the natural heritage.
The instrument of acceptance of the Convention, the Czech and Slovak Federative Republic of Brazil
has been deposited with the depositary, the Director-General of UNESCO, on 15.
November 1990.
Convention entered into force on the basis of article 33 on the day 17. December
1975. for the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic, entered the Convention in
force on the basis of article 15 of the same day. February 1991.
Czech translation of the Convention shall be published at the same time.
CONVENTION
on the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage
General Conference of UNESCO in Paris, scházejíc in 17 days. October
up to 21. November 1972, at its seventeenth session, bearing in mind that the
cultural heritage and the natural heritage are increasingly threatened with
the destruction of not only as a result of the traditional causes of decay, but also on the basis of the
the changing social and economic conditions, that the situation of members escalate
still hrozivějšími phenomena of damage or destruction;
taking into account that the shedding or destruction of any item of the cultural
or natural heritage represents an impoverishment of the irreplaceable heritage
all the Nations of the world;
considering that the protection of this heritage at the national level is often not
the full scope of resources that it requires, and due to a lack
economic, scientific and technical resources of the country, where the ownership,
that has to be protected, is located;
Recalling that the Constitution of the organization provides that will maintain,
expand and spread knowledge by ensuring the protection of world heritage and
recommending to the Nations concerned the necessary international conventions;
taking into account that the existing international conventions, recommendations and resolutions of the
concerning the cultural and natural property demonstrate the importance of
for all the peoples of the world to protect this unique and
irreplaceable property, whether they belong to any nation;
taking into account that part of the cultural or natural heritage have
exceptional importance and for this reason it is necessary to keep them as part of
world heritage of mankind as a whole;
taking into account that due to the volume and severity of new dangers
threaten the cultural and natural heritage, it is the responsibility of the international
community as a whole to participate in the protection of cultural and natural
world heritage of outstanding value that will provide collective
assistance, which, even though it will not replace the measures of the State concerned, the
serve as his effective replenishment;
taking into account, that for this purpose it is necessary to adopt new provisions
by Convention, creating an effective system of collective protection of the cultural and
natural heritage the exceptional values on the world, organised by the Standing
the basis of and in accordance with modern scientific methods;
rozhodnuvši, at its sixteenth session, that this question becomes
the subject of international conventions;
accepts this sixteenth day of November 1972 this Convention.
(I).
Definition of the cultural and natural heritage
Article 1
For the purposes of this Convention, shall be considered as "cultural heritage":
Memorials:
architectural works, works of monumental sculpture and painting, elements
or the structure of an archaeological nature, inscriptions, cave dwellings and combinations
elements that have an exceptional value in terms of world history, art, or
Science;
groups of buildings:
a group of separate or connected buildings which, because of their having
architecture, its homogeneity or location in the landscape of exceptional world
a value from the point of view of history, art or science;
locations:
the creations of man or the combined works of nature and man and the area
that includes the place of archaeological finds that have an exceptional world
a value from the historical, aesthetic, Ethnology and anthropology
point of view.
Article 2
For the purposes of this Convention, shall be considered as "natural heritage":
natural phenomena, consisting of physical and biological formations or groups of
such services, which are unique in the world of aesthetic value
or scientific point of view;
geological and fyziografické formations and precisely defined area, which
form instead of the natural occurrence of endangered species of animals and plants
the exceptional value of the world in terms of science or conservation of nature;
natural sites or precisely defined natural area the world values
from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty.
Article 3
It is in the scope of each of the Contracting Parties, in order to identify and define the ownership
situated in its territory in accordance with article. 1 and 2.
II.
The national protection and international protection of the cultural and natural heritage
Article 4
Each Contracting State recognizes that it is primarily the duty of the
secure the designation, protection, conservation, presentation and transmission
future generations of cultural and natural heritage referred to in the article. 1 and
2 and situated on its territory. To this end, shall take all the
the maximum use of their own resources, and, where appropriate,
along with international assistance and cooperation, especially financial, artistic,
Scientific and technical, which will be able to receive it.
Article 5
In order to ensure effective and current measures to protect,
conservation and presentation of cultural and natural heritage situated
on the territory of a Contracting State to the extent that, it will be possible and
appropriate, to seek:
and the adoption of a general policy) aimed at strengthening the role of the cultural and
the natural heritage in the life of the community, and the integration of the protection of this
heritage into comprehensive planning programmes;
(b)) on the creation of services for the protection, conservation and presentation of the cultural and
natural heritage with the relevant staff, having the means to
the performance of these functions, on their territories, where such services
There are;
(c)) on the development of scientific and technical studies and research and development
methods of work, which will become unable to act against the dangers
that threaten its cultural or natural heritage;
(d) the adoption of the corresponding legal), scientific, technical,
Administrative and financial measures necessary for the designation,
the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of this heritage; and
(e)) for support in the creation or development of national or regional
centres for training in the protection, conservation and presentation
cultural and natural heritage and the promotion of scientific research in the
This area.
Article 6
1. the Contracting States, fully respecting the sovereignty of States, on the
the territory is a cultural and natural heritage referred to in the article. 1 and 2, and
without prejudice to the rights of ownership to the designated national legal order
recognize that such heritage constitutes a world heritage for whose protection
It is the duty of the international community as a whole.
2. The Contracting States undertake, in accordance with the provisions of this Convention, that
provide its assistance in identifying, protecting and preserving the cultural and
natural heritage referred to in paragraph 1(b). 2 and 4 of the article. 11, if these States,
on whose territory it is situated, request the heritage.
3. Each Contracting State undertakes that it will not take any arbitrary
the measures, which might damage directly or indirectly the cultural and natural
Heritage mentioned in the article. 1 and 2 situated on the territory of the other Contracting
States.
Article 7
For the purposes of this Convention, under the international protection of the world
cultural and natural heritage is to be understood to create a system of international
cooperation and assistance to support States parties in their efforts to
the preservation and designation of this heritage.
III.
The Intergovernmental Committee for the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage
Article 8
1. in the framework of the UNESCO establishes the Intergovernmental Committee for the protection of
cultural and natural heritage of outstanding value, called the world
"The World Heritage Committee". It will consist of 15 Contracting States that
will be chosen by the States, which will meet to the General Assembly in
during the ordinary meeting of the General Conference of UNESCO. The number of States,
members of the Committee, will be increased to 21 from the date of the ordinary general meeting
Conference following after this Convention enters into force for the
at least 40 States.
2. Election of the members of the Committee shall ensure fair representation of the different areas and
cultures of the world.
3. the meetings of the Committee as an Advisor may participate in/HR
The International Centre for the study of the preservation and restoration of cultural
ownership (Roman Centre), the representative of the International Council for the
preservation (ICOMOS) and the representative of the International Union for the protection of
of nature and natural resources (IUCN), which can also be accessed on the
the request of the States parties to the non-existent during the General Assembly
regular session of the General Conference of UNESCO, the representatives of the other
intergovernmental or non-governmental organisations of similar focus.
Article 9
1. The term of Office of States members of the Committee-the world heritage will be
begin with the end of the ordinary meeting of the General Conference during which the
they will be chosen, and will be completed by the end of its third subsequent
the ordinary meeting.
2. the term of Office of one third of the members designated at the first election, however,
will be terminated at the end of the first ordinary meeting of the General Conference
following the meeting at which they were elected, and the term of
another third of the members designated at the same time will be terminated at the end of
the second ordinary meeting of the General Conference following the
the meeting, at which they were elected. The names of these members shall be determined by lot
the Chairman of the General Conference of UNESCO, after the first election.
3. the States members of the Committee shall be selected-as his representative the person
qualified in the field of cultural or natural heritage.
Article 10
1. the World Heritage Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.
2. the Committee may at any time invite you to attend its meetings in order to
consultations on specific issues of public or private organisations or
of the individual.
Article 11
1. Each Contracting State shall, if possible, the Committee for the world
heritage inventory of property forming part of the cultural and natural
heritage, which is located on its territory, and conforms to the
inclusion in the list referred to in paragraph 1(b). 2 of this article. This inventory,
that will not be considered as exhaustive, will include documentation
concerning the location of this property and its importance.
2. on the basis of the inventories submitted by States in accordance with paragraph 1. 1 the Committee of the
bases, will update and publish under the name of "list of the world
Heritage "list of property forming part of the cultural and natural
heritage, as defined in the article. 1 and 2 of this Convention, which it considers
ownership of having an exceptional world value according to such criteria,
what it provides. The updated list will be sent out at least every two
for years.
3. The inclusion of the property to the World Heritage List requires the consent of
of the State concerned. The inclusion of a property located on the territory of
which the sovereign jurisdiction of more than one State claims, in any
the case will not affect the rights of the parties in the dispute.
4. the Committee shall establish, update and publish, whenever it will be
circumstances require, under the name "list of world heritage sites in
danger ", a list of the property referred to in the" List of the world
Heritage ", in which the preservation of larger operations are required and for which
assistance was requested from this Convention. This list will contain an estimate of the
the costs of such measures. To the list may be included only
property forming part of the cultural and natural heritage and
He's serious and specific dangers, such as the threat of disappearance caused by
chátráním, an extensive public or private projects
rapid urban or tourist development; the destruction caused by
changes in the use or ownership of land, big changes, which cause
It is unknown; abandonment for any reason; the outbreak or threat
the armed conflict; calamities and disasters, the menacing fires, earthquakes
and landslides; volcanic eruptions; changes in water levels, floods and tidal
waves. The Committee may do so at any time, in case of urgent need, the new
record to the "List of world heritage in danger" and such record
immediately publish.
5. the Committee shall lay down the criteria on the basis of ownership can be
belonging to the cultural or natural heritage, included in one of the
the lists referred to in paragraph 1(b). 2 and 4 of this article.
6. Before rejecting the request for inclusion in one of the two lists
referred to in paragraph 1(b). 2 and 4 of this article, the Committee shall consult with the Contracting
State on whose territory the cultural or natural property
located.
7. The Committee shall, with the consent of the States concerned, co-ordinate and promote
studies and research needed for the compilation of the lists referred to in paragraph 1(b). 2 and 4
This article.
Article 12
The fact that a property belonging to the cultural or natural heritage
It was not included in one of the two lists mentioned in the paragraph. 2 and 4
Article 11, does not in any way be interpreted so that it does not have an exceptional
the world value for purposes other than those arising from the
inclusion in these lists.
Article 13
1. the World Heritage Committee will receive and study requests for
international assistance compiled by Contracting States, as regards the ownership
forming part of the cultural and natural heritage, which is located on the
their territory is included in the lists referred to in paragraph 1(b). 2 and 4 of the article. 11
or is appropriate for inclusion in these lists. The purpose of such
applications may be security protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation
such ownership.
2. The request for international assistance according to the paragraph. 1 of this article shall also be
may relate to the determination of the cultural or natural property defined in the
Article 1 and 2, if the preliminary investigations have shown that further examination would
was justified.
3. the Committee shall decide on the action to be taken in case of such
applications, where it is appropriate, establishes the nature and the scope of their
help and give consent on his/her behalf to the Government have been closed
the necessary agreement.
4. the Committee shall determine the order of priorities for its operations. It will have to
memory, the importance for the world cultural and natural heritage
ownership of the requesting protection, the need to provide international assistance
ownership, which is the most representative in terms of natural
of the environment or of the genius and the history of the peoples of the world, the urgency of the work,
that has to be done, the resources available to the State on whose territory the
the property is at risk, and in particular the extent to which they are able to
such ownership to secure their own resources.
5. the Committee shall draw up, publish and update the list of objects, which
international aid has been granted.
6. the Committee will decide on the use of the resources of the Fund created pursuant to article
15 of this Convention. Will search for ways to reproduce these resources and for the
order to take beneficial steps.
7. The Committee shall co-operate with international and national governmental and
non-governmental organisations pursuing similar objectives as the Convention. For
the purpose of the implementation of its programmes and projects, the Committee may call on
such organisations, in particular on the International Centre for research
conservation and restoration of cultural property (the Rome Centre), the
The International Council for preservation (ICOMOS) and the International Union for the
the conservation of nature and natural resources (IUCN), as well as public and
private bodies and individuals.
8. the decision of the Committee taken by a two-thirds majority of the members will be
present and voting. Most of the members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum.
Article 14
1. the World Heritage Committee will assist the Secretariat appointed by the
the Director-General of UNESCO.
2. The Director-General of UNESCO, will be taking advantage of to the maximum extent possible,
the services of the International Centre for research in conservation and restoration of cultural
property (the Rome Centre), the International Council for preservation
(ICOMOS) and the International Union for the conservation of nature and natural
resources (IUCN) in the areas of their competence and abilities,
to prepare the Committee's documentation and the agenda of its meetings and will be
responsible for the implementation of its decisions.
IV.
The Fund for the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage
Article 15
1. This creates a Fund for the protection of the world cultural and natural
world heritage of outstanding value, called "the World Heritage Fund".
2. the Fund shall establish, in accordance with the provisions of the financial rules of the UNESCO
the deposit fund.
3. resources of the Fund will consist of:
and) mandatory and voluntary contributions of States parties,
(b) contributions, gifts or) links, which can provide:
I) other States;
II) UNESCO, other organizations within the United Nations system, in particular UNDP and other
an intergovernmental organization;
III) public or private bodies or individuals;
(c)) any interest attributable to the resources of the Fund;
d) funds resulting from the collections and receipts from events organized for the benefit of
The Fund; and
e) all other resources which are in accordance with the regulations of the Fund, as they are
designed for the World Heritage Committee.
4. contributions to the Fund and other forms of assistance available to the Committee may
be used only for such purposes, what the Committee determines. The Committee may adopt
posts which are to be used only on a specific program or project
provided that the Committee shall decide on the implementation of such a program or
the project. No political conditions may be associated with posts
provided by the Fund.
Article 16
1. Without prejudice to the additional voluntary contributions, the Contracting States
undertake to pay regularly, every two years, to Fund
the world heritage site, the amount of contributions, in the form of a uniform percentage
the rates applied to all States, shall be determined by the General Assembly
the Contracting States to this Convention, which will meet during the meetings of the
General Conference of UNESCO. This decision of the General Assembly
requires a majority of the Contracting Parties present and voting, which
not a declaration pursuant to paragraph. 2 of this article. Mandatory contribution
States parties to the Convention in any event exceed 1% of the contribution to the ordinary
the budget of UNESCO.
2. any State referred to in article 31 or 32 of this Convention may, however, at the time of
its instrument of ratification, acceptance or accession,
declare that it will not be bound by the provisions of paragraph 1. 1 of this article.
3. A Contracting State to the Convention, which has made the Declaration referred to in paragraph 2
of this article may at any time withdraw the said Declaration by notification
the Director-General of UNESCO. However, the revocation shall not take effect
the validity of the terms of the mandatory contribution due by the State until the date of this
the next General Assembly of the States parties to the Convention.
4. For the purpose of effective planning of its activities the Committee will be the Contracting
States which have made a declaration in accordance with paragraph 1. 2 of this article,
pay their contributions regularly, at least every two years, and should not be
lower than the posts, which should pay, if they were bound by the
the provisions of paragraph 1. 1 of this article.
5. A State party which is in arrears in the payment of its compulsory or
a voluntary contribution for the current year and the immediately preceding
the calendar year, will not be elected as a member of the Committee for world heritage;
This provision shall not apply to the first election.
The term of Office of any such State which is already a member of the Committee,
ends at the time of the elections provided for in article. 8 (2). 1 to this Convention.
Article 17
The Contracting States will assess or support the establishment of national,
public and private foundations or associations whose aim is to stimulate
the provision of the gifts on the protection of the cultural and natural heritage, as is
defined in article 1 and 2 of this Convention.
Article 18
The Contracting States will provide its assistance to international campaigns on
creation of funds organized for the World Heritage Fund under the auspices of the
UNESCO. Will facilitate collections organized for this purpose by the authorities
referred to in paragraph 1(b). 3 of article 15.
In the.
The conditions and measures for international assistance
Article 19
Each Contracting State may request international assistance for ownership
forming part of the cultural and natural heritage of outstanding world
values located within its territory. Along with their application shall submit to the
information and documentation in accordance with the article. 21, what is available and
that will allow the Committee to take a decision.
Article 20
In accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1. 2 article 13 (a). (c)), article 22 and article
23 international assistance may be provided for by the Convention provided only
in the case of property forming part of the cultural and natural
heritage, for which the World Heritage Committee decided, or may
choose to be included in one of the lists referred to in paragraph 1(b). 2
and 4 of article 11.
Article 21
1. the World Heritage Committee shall establish a procedure on the basis of the
requests for international assistance to be assessed, the exact content of the application,
that should define the measures considered necessary work, the expected
the cost of this operation, the degree of urgency and the reasons why the resources of the State
requesting assistance do not allow to cover all costs. Such requests
must be, whenever possible, supported by the reports of the experts.
2. The application for the reasons disasters or natural calamities should be due to the
the urgency of the work, already discussed by the Committee may include, as a priority,
The Committee would for such unforeseen events should have a reserve fund.
3. Before it reaches its decision, the Committee shall carry out such surveys, and
the consultation, which it considers necessary.
Article 22
The assistance provided by the World Heritage Committee may include
the following forms:
and research relating to works of art), the scientific and technical issues
resulting from the protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the cultural and
natural heritage as is enshrined in paragraph 2(b). 2 and 4 of article 11 of this
Of the Convention;
(b)) the provision of experts, technicians and skilled workers, to
to ensure the correct execution of the work;
(c) training workers and specialists) at all levels in the field
the designation, protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of the cultural and
the natural heritage;
(d)) the supply of equipment which the State concerned does not own or cannot obtain;
(e) low-interest loans) loans or interest-free loans payable on fixed
basis;
(f)) the provision, in exceptional cases and for special reasons,
non-repayable contributions.
Article 23
The World Heritage Committee may also provide international assistance
national or regional centres for training and
specialists at all levels in the area of labelling, protection, conservation,
presentation and restoration of the cultural and natural heritage.
Article 24
Detailed scientific, economic and technical studies will be preceded by a
extensive international assistance. These studies suggest the State of the art
the technique for the conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of natural and cultural
heritage and will be in accordance with the objectives of this Convention. Research will also be
Search the ways of rational use of the resources available to the
the State in question.
Article 25
As a general rule will apply, that the international community will be
pay only part of the cost of the necessary work. Deposit of that State
international assistance will form a substantial part of the resources devoted to each
program or project, unless his sources were.
Article 26
The World Heritage Committee and the recipient State shall determine in agreement
closed, the conditions under which the program or project for which the
provides international assistance under this Convention. The responsibility of the
the State receiving such international assistance will continue during the
compliance with the conditions laid down in the agreement in the protection, preservation and
present ownership, which was as follows.
VI.
Educational programs
Article 27
1. the Contracting States shall endeavour by all appropriate means and
in particular by educational and information programmes, to
their peoples are increasingly appreciated and respect the cultural and
natural heritage as defined in article. 1 and 2 of the Convention.
2. The Contracting States undertake to widely inform the public about
the dangers threatening this heritage and of the actions undertaken on the
the basis of this Convention.
Article 28
Contracting States which adopt international assistance according to the Convention, shall take the
appropriate measures to ensure that he became known the importance of ownership,
that assistance was received, and the role of such assistance, already plays.
VII.
Messages
Article 29
1. the Contracting States shall inform in the reports, which shall submit to the General
UNESCO Conference on a date and in a way, what this provides on the legal and
the administrative measures they have adopted, and on other measures,
to take for the implementation of this Convention, together with details about the
the experience, which have gained in this area.
2. These reports shall be remitted to the Committee for world heritage.
3. At each regular session of the General Conference of UNESCO, the Committee will
submit a report on its activities.
VIII.
Final provisions
Article 30
This Convention is drawn up in Arabic, English, French,
Russian and Spanish, while all five texts being equally authentic.
Article 31
1. this Convention is subject to ratification or acceptance by the Member States of UNESCO in the
accordance with their respective constitutional procedures.
2. The instruments of ratification or acceptance shall be deposited with the
the Director of UNESCO.
Article 32
1. This Convention shall be open for accession by all States which are not members of the
The General Conference of UNESCO, and which asks you to access.
2. Access enters into force by depositing an instrument of accession with the General
the Director of UNESCO.
Article 33
This Convention shall enter into force three months after the deposit of the 20th
the instruments of ratification, acceptance, or access, but only for those
States that its instrument of ratification, acceptance, or access
deposited by this date or before him. For each of the other State shall enter in the
force three months after the deposit of its instrument of ratification, of the instrument of
admission or access.
Article 34
The following provisions shall apply to those States parties that have
necentralistický federal or constitutional system:
and) regarding the provisions of this Convention, the implementation of which falls within the
the jurisdiction of the federal or central legislative power, the obligations of the
the federal or Central Government, the same as for Contracting States that
they are not federal States;
(b)) regarding the provisions of this Convention, the implementation of which falls within the
the jurisdiction of the States, countries, provinces or cantons,
which are not bound by the constitutional system of the Federation to adopt the legislative
measures, the Federal Government will inform the competent authorities of such
States, countries, provinces or cantons of the said measures, together with the
its recommendation for their adoption.
Article 35
1. Any Contracting State may denounce the Convention.
2. The denunciation shall be notified in writing by the Charter imposed on the General
the Director of UNESCO.
3. the denunciation shall take effect twelve months after the receipt of notice
of the Charter and will not affect the financial obligations of the State to the vypovídajícího
the date on which the denunciation takes effect.
Article 36
The Director-General of UNESCO shall inform the Member States of the Organization,
States that are not members of the organisation, referred to in the article. 32, as well as the United Nations
Save all the instruments of ratification, acceptance or accession
referred to in the article. 31 and 32, as well as the statements of the Convention referred to in the article.
35.
Article 37
1. this Convention may be amended by the General Conference of UNESCO. Any
the change, however, will be binding only on those States that become parties to
the amended Convention.
2. should the General Conference adopt a new Convention changing the Convention
or in part, then, unless the new Convention otherwise provides, this Convention shall
It ceases to be open for ratification, acceptance or access from the date of
the new amended Convention enters into force.
Article 38
In accordance with article. 102 of the Charter of the UNITED NATIONS, this Convention shall, at the request of the General
the Director of the United Nations Secretariat, UNESCO registered in.
Done in Paris, this twenty-third day of November 1972, in two
original copies bearing the signature of the President of the seventeenth session of the
General Conference of UNESCO and the certified copy will be committed
sent to all the States referred to in the article. 31 and 32, as well as the United Nations. The above
It is the original text of the Recommendation duly adopted by the General Conference
UNESCO at its seventeenth session, held in Paris and was
declared closed the twenty-first day of November 1972. On the evidence
which we connected our signatures this twenty-first day of November
1972.
the President of the General Conference
the Director-General
