SWITZERLAND.- The Swiss House of Representatives has just approved legislation that brings Switzerland into line with the 1970 Unesco Convention against cultural goods trafficking. Parliament decided on Tuesday to extend the timeframe for reclaiming stolen works of art to 30 years from the current five years enshrined in Swiss law.



The Federal Office for Culture had proposed the new legislation because Switzerland – the world’s fourth largest art market – had earned a reputation for being a transit center for stolen works of art.



Until now, Swiss law has treated cultural goods no differently to ordinary merchandise. With the new legislation, which has taken over ten years to be approved, the laundering of stolen artworks should also disappear.



A small minority in parliament fought in vain to keep the statute of limitations down to 20 years. “We have to defend the interests of art dealers,” said Theophil Pfister of the rightwing People’s Party.



However, the center-left warned that shortening the period would only lead to other nations questioning Switzerland’s commitment to the fight against art trafficking.



Those who buy stolen art in good faith will receive compensation, but only the equivalent of what they paid for the object. The House chose not to indemnify beyond this limit, wishing to avoid any speculation based on market value.