Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property

Guidance on the implementation of the 1954 Hague Convention in Northern Ireland.

In 2017 the UK Government adopted the protocols of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. Under a new devolved power the Minister for Communities can grant permission for the use of the cultural emblem, as set out in the Convention, as a means of identification.

The purpose of the emblem is to prevent the type of mass destruction which took place during the Second World War, by providing a system of protection for cultural property in situations of armed conflict.  It operates by countries agreeing to refrain from using property, or committing any hostile act against any property, bearing the emblem.  The emblem carries the same protective status as the Red Cross.