On Wednesday, the International Council of Museums (Conseil International des Musées ICOM) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Communication (MCC) launched in Port-au-Prince, the publication of the Emergency Red List of Haitian cultural goods at risk.

According to France Desmarais, Program Director of ICOM, this publication is "an answer to the increased risk of traffic of Haitian cultural goods" it also aims to preserve and safeguard "against illegal sales and exports".

"The publication of this red list expressing the common will of ICOM and its international partners including Interpol and the international organization of customs, to preserve the rich Haitian cultural heritage, saying ICOM intends to do everything which is in its power to effectively fight against the trafficking of Haitian cultural goods" said Director of ICOM.

Harold Gaspard, Chair of ICOM Haiti, meanwhile, stressed the need for training of customs officers, police officers and academics who also work in the field of cultural heritage in order to protect endangered cultural goods threatened of theft "It is important that institutions including the National Archives, the National Police and the Ministry of Culture and Communication (MCC) take the necessary measures to safeguard its goods" he precised.

In the absence of the Minister of Culture, Marie Laurence Jocelyn Lassegue, it is Josseline Colimon Féthière [trade and industry], who assured that the Haitian Government was prepared to play its full role in the preservation of cultural heritage the country".

The director of the National Pantheon Museum, which hosted the official launch of the Red List, welcomed that only 9 Haitian cultural heritage items on the list are part of the museum's collection.

S/ HaitiLibre