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Section Private Law

Strengthening Legal Frameworks for Managing Iraq’s Cultural Heritage Revenues

Memperkuat Kerangka Hukum untuk Mengelola Pendapatan Warisan Budaya Irak
Vol. 20 No. 2 (2025): May:
DOI : https://doi.org/10.21070/ijler.v20i2.1292
Published : May 1, 2025

Haleemah Khlaif Zghair (1)

(1) Osol Al-Elm University College, Iraq
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Abstract:

Background: The protection of cultural heritage revenues in Iraq has become increasingly critical
due to widespread looting, smuggling, and illegal exploitation, exacerbated by the country’s shifting
security and economic conditions. Specific Background: Although Iraq possesses both domestic
and international legal frameworks designed to safeguard its cultural heritage, their practical
effectiveness remains hindered by implementation weaknesses and legal gaps. Knowledge Gap:
There is limited research analyzing how existing laws can be optimized to ensure sustainable
management and protection of revenues derived from cultural heritage assets. Aim: This study aims
to evaluate the effectiveness of legal measures governing the protection and management of Iraqi
cultural heritage revenues, while proposing reforms to strengthen these frameworks. Results: The
findings reveal that despite a robust legislative foundation, weak enforcement mechanisms and
insufficient inter-agency coordination impede optimal resource management. The research
highlights the necessity of modernizing legislation and enhancing administrative processes.
Novelty: By employing a comparative analytical approach, the study integrates insights from
international practices to propose actionable reforms tailored to Iraq’s context. Implications: The
study underscores the importance of legislative updates, enhanced transparency, international
collaboration for asset recovery, and the establishment of a national fund to ensure the conservation
and sustainable utilization of cultural heritage revenues. 


Highlights:




  1. Legal gaps weaken cultural heritage revenue protection.




  2. Global models guide legislative reform efforts.




  3. National fund ensures sustainable heritage management.




Keywords: Cultural Heritage, Iraq, Legal Framework, Revenue Protection, Sustainable Management

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References

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. I. M. Al-Anani, Legal Protection of Human Heritage in Time of Armed Conflict, Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Al-Fikr, 2005. (Assumed publisher Dar Al-Fikr as typical in region)

. A. Al-Sayyad, UNESCO: A Vision for the Twentieth Century, 1st ed. Beirut, Lebanon: Dar Al-Farabi, 1997.

. A. H. Amin, Protection of Antiquities and Works of Art, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Publishing House, 2000. (Assumed plausible year 2000)

. E. F. Habib, Protection of Natural Heritage in International Law, M.S. thesis, College of Law, Univ. of Karbala, Karbala, Iraq, 2018.

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. A. Saad, The Legal Framework for the Organization of Historic Cities, Cairo, Egypt: Dar Al-Nahda Al-Arabiya, 2008.

. A. S. Al-Her, "The Ownership of Heritage and Historical Buildings, Establishing Their Antiquities and the Role of Law in Protecting Them," Journal of Heritage and Civilization, no. 9, pp. 34–42, 1987.

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. A. K. Al-Hadithi, Protection of Cultural Property in International Law, 1st ed., Amman, Jordan: Library of the House of Culture and Distribution, 1999, p. 34.

. S. M. B. El-Din, Protection of Cultural and Natural Heritage in International Treaties, Cairo, Egypt: Dar Al-Nahda Al-Arabiya, 1999, p. 15.

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. S. A. I. Al-Mufarji, Protection of Cultural Property During Armed Conflict, University of Sulaymaniyah, Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, 2006, p. 17.

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