Niszczenie dziedzictwa kulturowego – między imperatywem ekonomii i ekologii. Kryminologiczne ujęcie problemu z perspektywy województwa warmińsko–mazurskiego

Abstract

In the article, the author discusses the problem of destruction of the cultural heritage, as seen from the perspective of criminology, economics, and ecology. The author explains the meaning of such basic terms as monument, cultural asset, and work of art. The term cultural heritage is discussed extensively with references to the Convention concerning the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage adopted in Paris in 1972, which established the UNESCO World Heritage List. The author discusses in detail the text of the convention and the related procedures. In reference to the Polish Act of 23 July 2003 on protection of monuments and care for historical relics, the author discusses the institution of “historical monument” and the conditions for its establishment. The discussion of the laws pertaining to the protection of the cultural heritage ends with the author’s presentation of the legislative activity of the European Communities in this area. The author supplements his discussion of the subject with examples of depredation and devastation of cultural monuments in the Warmia i Mazury region of Poland. In the article’s conclusion, the author presents a list of recommended preventive measures which, in his opinion, may help to stop the process of destruction of Poland’s material and spiritual cultural heritage.