Egyptian expert urges international, local amendments to archeological laws

Archaeological expert Abdel-Rehim Rihan called for local and international amendments to settle chronic archaeological problems, especially monuments' pillage.

In statements to MENA, Rihan called for amending the UNESCO 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.

He also urged the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) to include monuments as intellectual property.

He also called for many amendments of Egyptian archaeological law, especially Article no. 8.

He said this article should stipulate on restoring all monuments abroad whatever the way they were sent out not just those smuggled from the country.

He cautioned that Egyptian monuments found during stealthy excavations following the 2011 revolution are being sold in auctions abroad.