Ethical Principles
Blue Shield Austria, in line with the ethics of the Blue Shield, is a neutral organisation, focused on the protection of cultural heritage in armed conflicts and disasters.
Building on the firm belief that cultural heritage is inseparable from people, Blue Shield Austria puts the needs of people before the protection of Cultural Property (CP). The Blue Shield believes that the protection of CP is essentially inseparable from the protection of people and their human rights, in particular in the context of international humanitarian law, which pertains exclusively to armed conflict. In this context, the lives of active combatants, and of those who are no longer willing or able to fight, are no less paramount than the lives of civilians caught up in conflict zones. The Blue Shield understands that our commitment to the protection of human life and CP may in extremis require the loss of heritage in order to end a conflict as quickly as possible whilst minimising the loss of lives of both civilians and soldiers. In this context, the Blue Shield upholds the principles of necessity, proportionality, and humanity, which lie at the heart of IHL.
However, we also acknowledge that there are people across the world who have willingly chosen to risk their lives to protect heritage (called “Heritage heroes” by the UNOHCR Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights, p19). As well as we acknowledge the risks taken by armed forces around the world, who may do likewise in line with their mission parameters.
The Blue Shield’s commitment to protect cultural property is framed in the context of the ethical principles set out in the Blue Shield Strasbourg Charter of:
Building on the firm belief that cultural heritage is inseparable from people, Blue Shield Austria puts the needs of people before the protection of Cultural Property (CP). The Blue Shield believes that the protection of CP is essentially inseparable from the protection of people and their human rights, in particular in the context of international humanitarian law, which pertains exclusively to armed conflict. In this context, the lives of active combatants, and of those who are no longer willing or able to fight, are no less paramount than the lives of civilians caught up in conflict zones. The Blue Shield understands that our commitment to the protection of human life and CP may in extremis require the loss of heritage in order to end a conflict as quickly as possible whilst minimising the loss of lives of both civilians and soldiers. In this context, the Blue Shield upholds the principles of necessity, proportionality, and humanity, which lie at the heart of IHL.
However, we also acknowledge that there are people across the world who have willingly chosen to risk their lives to protect heritage (called “Heritage heroes” by the UNOHCR Special Rapporteur in the Field of Cultural Rights, p19). As well as we acknowledge the risks taken by armed forces around the world, who may do likewise in line with their mission parameters.
The Blue Shield’s commitment to protect cultural property is framed in the context of the ethical principles set out in the Blue Shield Strasbourg Charter of:
- joint action,
- independence,
- neutrality,
- professionalism,
- respect of cultural identity, and
- work on a not-for-profit basis.
The complex emergency situations in which the Blue Shield may operate requires close collaboration between the cultural heritage sector, relevant international and national government agencies, armed forces, other uniformed services, and other official voluntary NGOs. If cultural property protection relating to armed conflict, peacekeeping missions, or environmental disaster is to be effective, it is essential to have an effective partnership between the Blue Shield and potential partners. In order for this to happen, everyone involved in cultural property protection must work together, and all must educate and train for their role in cultural property protection in relation to both armed conflict (where they have particular legal responsibilities) and environmental disaster (when they are called upon frequently to help as first responders following disasters).
Blue Shield Austria is a neutral organisation: our mission is the protection of heritage. As such we will try to assist any genuine initiative by any nation state or warring faction to work towards this goal. It is not the place of the Blue Shield Austria to assess the status of the conflict or give a moral determination of its conduct: the Austrian Committee of Blue Shield respects the principles of international humanitarian law under which we operate, and encourages others to do likewise.
Blue Shield Austria is a neutral organisation: our mission is the protection of heritage. As such we will try to assist any genuine initiative by any nation state or warring faction to work towards this goal. It is not the place of the Blue Shield Austria to assess the status of the conflict or give a moral determination of its conduct: the Austrian Committee of Blue Shield respects the principles of international humanitarian law under which we operate, and encourages others to do likewise.
Read more about cultural property protection and ethics of the Blue Shield on the BSI website and in its Document Library.
Read Blue Shield’s historic Charters and Declarations in Document Library of the BSI website.
Read Blue Shield’s historic Charters and Declarations in Document Library of the BSI website.