A Call to Protect Egyptian Antiquities, Cultural Heritage and Tourism Economy

A Call to Protect Egyptian Antiquities

A Call to Protect Egyptian Antiquities, Cultural Heritage and Tourism Economy

We, the undersigned, strongly urge immediate action to protect Egyptian antiquities, important sites, and cultural heritage. In so doing, significant archaeological artifacts and irreplaceable historic objects will be preserved. Importantly, such protection will help the Egyptian economy in the wake of political revolution. Such an initiative will also help stem illicit international crime organizations that have links to money laundering, human trafficking and the drug trade.

Whereas, Egyptian antiquities and sites are among the most historically significant and important in the world,

Whereas, Egypt has numerous museums and historical sites, some of which are victims of ongoing looting, including recent reports that artifacts originally from Tutankhamen’s tomb have been stolen,

Whereas, more than 50 ancient Egyptian artifacts have been reported stolen from the Cairo Museum alone,

Whereas, UNESCO has called for international mobilization to block cultural artifacts stolen from Egypt,

Whereas, the tourism industry in Egypt is closely tied to cultural expeditions, employs one in eight Egyptians, accounts for some $11 billion in revenue for the Egyptian economy, and is the one of the largest sectors of the Egyptian economy...

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