Petition: Expel Russia from International Council of Museums for system cultural erasure in Ukraine

French civil society “For Ukraine, for their Freedom and Ours!” (“Pour l’Ukraine, pour leur liberté et la nôtre!”) has called for Russia’s expulsion from the International Council of Museums (ICOM).

ICOM, founded in 1946 in Paris, is a global network of museums and museum professionals. It is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of natural and cultural heritage, with national committees across over 80 countries.

The French organization has thus started a petition drive that calls for the immediate removal of Russia and Russian museum staff involved in the looting of Ukrainian cultural collections from occupied territories.

Russia’s membership in ICOM, given its destruction, looting, and falsification of cultural heritage, violates the core principles of the organization. These principles include the preservation of cultural heritage, the legal provenance of collections, compliance with international law, and adherence to ethical standards.

“Article 7.2 of the ICOM Code of Ethics clearly states: “Museum policy should take note of international legislation serving as a standard for the interpretation of the ICOM code of ethics,” reads the petition.

Several national ICOM committees have already called for Russia’s expulsion, but these appeals have not yet resulted in action.

Russia has destroyed or damaged 485 cultural sites in Ukraine since the start of full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, according to UNESCO, the United Nation’s arm that helps people learn, protect history and culture, and promote peace. 

These include 149 religious buildings, 249 historic structures, 33 monuments, 18 libraries, 32 museums, and two archaeological sites.

“But for Moscow, the goal is not only destruction. It is also appropriation—an effort to ‘Russify’ Ukrainian heritage wherever possible,” the petition reads.

These efforts date back to 2014, when thousands of works of art were transferred from Crimean museums to Russian institutions and abroad. Activists argue this is a violation of international law, including the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.

“The application of international law may one day bring justice and the restitution of stolen cultural assets—but legal proceedings could take decades,” the organization said.

Expelling Russia from ICOM is the very least the institution can do, according to the petition. ICOM, which operates under French law, is focused on protecting cultural heritage and ensuring ethical standards in international museum cooperation.

The petition is open for public signatures at the following link.