CILIP | CILIP PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO RESTORE LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES IN IRAQ : Leading CILIP members condemn flouting of Hague Convention and demand to know why warnings were ignored

Leading CILIP members condemn flouting of Hague Convention and demand to know why warnings were ignored

News 28/04/03

CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals has pledged its support for international efforts to restore library and information services devastated by the war in Iraq. "This is a crisis that requires an international response," says CILIP's Chief Executive Bob McKee. "It is every bit as devastating for libraries and information services as it is for museums, which have already received wide publicity. We are in touch with our colleagues in international bodies such as the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and centres of expertise such as the British Library, and will be working with them to contribute what we can."

Britain's failure to ratify the Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict comes in for particular criticism by leading CILIP members. "The devastation of Iraq's major archive, library and museums has placed the coalition in flagrant and serious beach of the Convention," says Bernard Naylor, Chair of CILIP's Ethics Panel and a former President of the Library Association.

Warnings of the risk of destruction of library and information services in Iraq were given to the British government as long ago as February, adds Robin Price, Chair of CILIP's Preservation and Conservation Panel. "Both the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence were clearly warned of the possibility of some destruction, and similar warnings were given in the USA," Mr Price says. "No action was taken."

In a letter dated February 5, the Head of the National Preservation Office Dr Vanessa Marshall urged Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon: "to ensure that all cultural heritage sites within Iraq … are protected in the event of armed conflict. This includes the built heritage, as well as libraries, archives and museums." Dr Marshall, who is also Chair of the United Kingdom and Ireland Blue Shield organisation - the cultural equivalent of the Red Cross - was also among those urging the UK government to ratify the Hague Convention.

CILIP will be writing to the Overseas Development Minister Claire Short making clear that the reconstruction effort in Iraq must give priority to the restoration of library and information services. As a member of IFLA, CILIP also supports the IFLA Council's call to UNESCO to pay particular attention to libraries and archives, as "essential parts of the rich heritage of Iraq".

Information on Iraqi library holdings prior to the conflict is likely to be the first priority, together with details of what has been damaged, looted or destroyed. Expert advice is also likely to be needed in preservation and conservation, and in rebuilding library and information infrastructure.

"It's not just Iraqi cultural heritage that's at stake here," explains Bob McKee. "As IFLA makes clear, strong attention must also be given to governmental records, which are vital for the functioning of public administration and for protecting the rights of Iraqi citizens. No nation can function effectively in the twenty-first century without a strong information society and knowledge economy," Dr McKee concludes. "The international community is under a clear obligation to help Iraq achieve that goal as rapidly as possible."

Contact: Tim Buckley Owen, Head of External Relations.
Tel: 020 7255 0652.
Email: tim.buckleyowen@cilip.org.uk

Notes to Editors

CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is the leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers, with over 23,500 members working in all sectors, including business and industry, science and technology, further and higher education, schools, local and central government, the health service, the voluntary sector, national and public libraries.

CILIP's goals are to: position the profession at the heart of the information revolution; develop and enhance the role and skills of all its Members; present and champion those skills, together with new ones which will be acquired through continuing professional development; and ensure that individuals, enterprises and not for profit organisations have ready and timely access to the information they need.

Updated: 09 August 2004