Row over controversial antiquities bill

ARCHAEOLOGISTS and intellectuals have blasted a controversial draft bill that has been presented to the People's Assembly (the Lower House of the Parliament) aiming to legalise the selling of antiquities to private collectors. 

  The legislature is expected today to resume debate on the controversial bill. Ali Radwan, the Chairman of the Arab Archaelogists' Union, said that the bill …quot; if approved …quot; would encourage more thefts and illegal excavations for antiquities, which constitute a vital component of Egypt's rich history and cultural heritage.
  The bill, proposed by business tycoon Ahmed Ezz, a member of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP), seeks to legalise the trade in ancient monuments as some European countries have done.
  But, Radwan has said that if such a law were to be passed, dealers would be able to operate in the country and theft from archeological sites would increase.
  "If such a law is passed, then Egypt's rich history, which is the property of all people, will be lost to private collectors who can pay its price," Radwan said.
  He said that Law No. 117/1983 criminalises the selling, buying and trafficking of Egyptian artefacts. The law clearly states that no antiquities can be sold in Egypt or exported out of the country.
  Radwan refutes Ezz’ claim that European countries allow the trade of antiquities saying that auction halls sell stolen and smuggled artefacts only and rarely deal with antiquities that belong to them.
  "In some auction halls in England,for example, stolen and smuggled antiquities from other countries are sold and bought every day. But, they have never sold a single piece of British antiquity to anyone," he said.
  Every ancient artefact belongs to all Egyptians and the human civilisation in general and not to certain people, he said.
  Meanwhile, Mohamed Abdul Maqssoud, the Director of Antiquities Sector in the Delta region, said that the bill aims to give thieves and looters the legal tools to legitimise their illegal trade.
  "It is a shame that the parliament has decided to debate this law, while Egypt is mounting a world wide campaign for the return of its priceless antiquities, which have been stolen and smuggled over the centuries," Abdul Maqssoud said.
  He criticised Ezz for condoning the buying and selling of antiquities, saying that the proposed bill was illega  unethical because it promotes the looting and trade of Egyptian artefacts.
  "The value of antiquities is the story of Egypt and when they are treated only as objects, Egypt loses this value for ever," he said.
  Farida el-Shubashi, a leftist writer, said that the bill substantiates Ezz’ capitalist mentality, which believes in selling anything even history and culture to anyone to make money.
"Even the Egyptian heritage and culture are threatened as a result of the sweeping privatisation drive, which Ezz wants to accelerate by offering anything for sale," el-Shubashi said, adding that she strongly rejects the bill  She called on the Egyptians to use their fundamental rights to protect their antiquities and national heritage from being put under the hammer and lost forever.
  Lending his voice to el-Shubashi's call, writer Youssef el-Qaeed criticised the Government for failing to stop any further loss of antiquities by giving Ezz the chance to propose this bill.
  "The Government wants to privatise everything at lightening speed. I am afraid that the time has come to privatise the Pyramids, or the Suez Canal," said el-Qaeed.