Over 60 Cultural Treasures Repatriated to Iraq
In a repatriation ceremony, Ambassador Lukman Faily expressed his appreciation to the U.S. Government and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for their dedication to restoring the priceless heritage that belongs to Iraq and its people.
Press Statement
March 16, 2015 (Washington, D.C.) – On behalf of the Government of Iraq and its people, the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Washington, D.C. is pleased to announce the repatriation of more than 60 Iraqi cultural treasures that were looted from Iraq and brought to the United States.
The Embassy worked closely with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Southern District of New York U.S. Attorney’s Office to return the items to Iraq. HSI New York received information in July 2008 that an antiquities dealer based in Dubai was selling the looted Iraqi treasures in the United States, and initiated years-long investigations into the status of the items.
In a repatriation ceremony hosted today by the Iraqi Consulate building in Washington, D.C., Iraq’s Ambassador to the United States Lukman Faily expressed his appreciation to the U.S. Government and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for their dedication to restoring the priceless heritage that belongs to Iraq and its people.
“Today is a historic day that documents the deep relationship, cooperation and friendship between Iraq and the United States. While we stand here united with our friends and allies, we send a strong message to Daesh and its destruction that we are committed to defeating terror, rebuilding our country and preserving its cultural heritage,” said Ambassador Faily.
“The return of looted archaeological items is a national project and we call upon all countries to help us in preserving this heritage which is not only valuable for Iraq but for all mankind,” he added.
One of the most treasured and significant items returned to Iraq is the Head of the Assyrian King Sargon II, a limestone fragmentary head of Lamassu – the winged bull – from the Palace of Sargon II.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Sarah Saldaña, and Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, Evan Ryan, also joined Ambassador Faily, Embassy staff, and media in the repatriation ceremony.
The Embassy remains committed to returning cultural property, art and antiquities in an effort to restore and preserve Iraqi heritage.
For more information from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), click here.
To read the statement in Arabic, click here.
