Exclusive Right on Property of Humanity (!) State Ownership of Cultural Property in Turkey and International Dimension

Abstract

Turkey is a country that is rich in terms of cultural property. It is regarded as a source country for cultural property. Turkey endeavours to keep its cultural properties within its borders and to claim the restitution of its cultural properties which are located abroad. A successful claim of restitution or repatriation requires clear and precise laws that could be interpreted by foreign courts where the concerned object might be. Turkish law has witnessed changes which created confusions in the last decades. Whilst examining the Turkish laws, cultural internationalism and cultural nationalism are to be borne in mind. For the adherence of the State to either of the concepts would have clear impacts on how the concerned laws and regulations are to be interpreted and understood.