This Model Law establishes a comprehensive legal framework for the protection, use, and promotion of cultural heritage objects. It defines cultural heritage broadly to include monuments of history, architecture, archaeology, and art, as well as historically significant sites and landscapes. The Law outlines the principles of state protection, regulates ownership and use of such objects as a special category of property, and ensures citizens’ rights to access cultural heritage while emphasizing the duty of both the state and individuals to preserve it for future generations. A central feature of the Law is the system of state governance and control over cultural heritage. It establishes categories (national, regional, and local significance), prohibits harmful activities such as unauthorized construction, and requires the designation of protected zones around heritage sites. The Law mandates the creation of a unified state register containing detailed information on all heritage objects, supported by certification (documentation) and historical-cultural expertise. Public authorities are tasked with developing policies, managing registers, conducting monitoring, approving restoration works, and coordinating national and international cooperation, including alignment with UNESCO World Heritage standards. The Law also regulates practical aspects such as financing, preservation methods, and legal responsibilities. It provides for state funding, tax incentives, and compensation mechanisms to support conservation activities, while defining restoration, repair, and adaptation works. Owners and users of heritage properties must comply with strict preservation obligations, and violations may lead to legal sanctions or loss of rights. Special provisions address historical settlements, cultural reserves, and archaeological heritage, ensuring integrated protection of both individual objects and their surrounding environments. Overall, the Law establishes a structured system balancing conservation, sustainable use, and public accessibility of cultural heritage.
2012-05-17