ABSTRACT

The Conference of The Hague met from 21 April to 14 May 1954 and was attended by the representatives of 56 States. The proceedings began with a solemn meeting at the Peace Palace in the audience chamber of the International Court of Justice. The final meeting of the Conference took place on 14 May 1954 in Ridderzaal. Thirty-seven States signed the Final Act of the Intergovernmental Conference on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. The Convention is based on the idea that the preservation of the cultural heritage is not only a matter for the State on whose territory it is located but 'is of great importance for all peoples of the world and that it is important that this heritage should receive international protection'.