Following the arrest of several employees of the Citadelle Henry https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42503-haiti-news-zapping.html , the Institute for the Protection of National Heritage (ISPAN), in a note, informs the public of the hearing and custody of around ten of them in connection with the disappearance of two culverins (hand cannons) at the Citadelle Henry at the end of May 2024 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42480-haiti-flash-ispan-confirms-the-theft-of-two-culverins-from-the-citadelle-henry-artillery-museum.html

ISPAN, without interfering in the investigation carried out by the police and judicial authorities, is closely following the ongoing investigation.

The institute recalls that "the two culverins of the Citadel are cultural assets which fall within the movable public domain and which were preserved in the Artillery Museum of the Citadelle Henry. They are witnesses who help tell the story of the Haitian Revolution. This theft contributes to the deterioration of the site and we hope that the sponsors, authors and accomplices of these crimes do not go unpunished."

ISPAN emphasizes that the illicit trade in cultural property is a well-oiled machine with complex workings, which national authorities should tackle, through special laws articulated with international legislation. Thefts of cultural property often involve networks of collectors. Since the announcement on June 3rd, 2024, ISPAN has formed a working group to consider a series of measures in order to find these national cultural assets of inestimable value.

1. ISPAN transmitted the culverin sheets for INTERPOL's support against possible international trafficking of these artifacts;

2. By following in particular the recommendations of INTERPOL. ISPAN is working to establish a national unit specialized in the fight against attacks on cultural heritage and trafficking in cultural property. ;

3. Exchanges took place. in the meantime. with the National Police and the Haitian Forces, on the urgent measures to be adopted for the security of the Citadelle Henry and the park, in general, whose employees continue to be threatened;

4. Provisions are being studied in order to put in place a lasting management structure for the Citadelle Sans Souci Ramiers National Historical Park (PNH CSSR) taking into account the new constraints linked to the context of general deterioration of security in Haiti.

Finally, ISPAN appeals to any citizen with information to collaborate with the judicial and police authorities in order to find these cultural properties which hold part of our historical memory.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42503-haiti-news-zapping.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-42480-haiti-flash-ispan-confirms-the-theft-of-two-culverins-from-the-citadelle-henry-artillery-museum.html

HL/ HaitiLibre