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The Federal Assembly of the Swiss Confederation, Pursuant to Articles 69, para. 2 and 95, para. 1, of the Swiss Federal Constitution, in execution of the UNESCO Convention from November 14, 1970 on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (UNESCO Convention 1970), after having examined the Message of the Federal Council dated November 21, 2001, decides:
SECTION 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1 Scope and Purpose
1. This Act regulates the import of cultural property into Switzerland, its transit and export as well as its repatriation from Switzerland.
2. With this Act, the Confederation desires to make a contribution to the maintenance of the cultural heritage of mankind and prevent theft, looting, and illicit import and export of cultural property.
Article 2 Terms
1. Cultural property is defined as significant property from a religious or universal standpoint for archeology, pre-history, history, literature, arts or sciences belonging to the categories under Article 1 of the UNESCO Convention of 1970.
2. Cultural heritage is considered the entirety of cultural property belonging to one of the categories under Article 4 of the UNESCO Convention 1970.
3. Contracting states are considered states having ratified the UNESCO Convention of 1970.
4. Specialized body refers to the administrative body responsible for executing the tasks outlined in Article 18.
5. Illicit import refers to an import in violation of an agreement in terms of Article 7 or a measure in terms of Article 8, para. 1, letter a.
SECTION 2 REGISTRIES OF CULTURAL PROPERTY
Article 3 Federal Registry
1. Cultural property of the Confederation of significant importance for the cultural heritage is registered in the Federal Registry.
2. The registration has the following effect:
a. cultural property may neither be acquired by adverse possession nor acquired in good faith;
b. the claim for return is not subject to a statute of limitation;
c. the definitive export of the cultural property from Switzerland is prohibited.
3. The registration of cultural property in the Federal Registry may be removed, to the extent that:
a. the cultural property no longer has a significant importance to the cultural heritage;
b. consolidation speaks in favor of an ensemble;
c. the Confederation loses its title to the cultural...