A/HRC/37/29 needs. They offered an alternative solution to the sale of cultural objects by valorizing the objects to the advantage of the community. The banks, which were composed of a museum, a microcredit bank and a cultural centre, facilitated the direct involvement of local people in the management of their cultural heritage. 86. Participants underscored the need to combat the markets for trafficked cultural property and to strengthen international cooperation to prevent, prosecute and punish trafficking in cultural property. They recalled the recommendations contained in the International Guidelines for Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Responses with Respect to Trafficking in Cultural Property and Other Related Offences. C. National experiences 87. The representative of Cyprus recounted measures taken to curb illicit trafficking, including: (a) legislative measures to monitor exports and exhibitions; (b) establishment of the National Committee for the Prevention of Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property; (c) active participation in bilateral and multilateral debates and negotiations; (d) digitalization of cultural heritage; (e) monitoring of online and gallery auctions; (f) alerting authorities at points of entry, exit or transit about cultural heritage at high risk; (g) education and awareness-raising on the importance of cultural heritage. 88. The representative of the Syrian Arab Republic noted the Government’s efforts to preserve and restore cultural heritage despite the challenges posed by the fight against terror and the unilateral coercive measures imposed on the country. A civil society representative shared information about the Syrian Cultural Index, an open online platform established to counteract the fragmentation of Syrian identity caused by destruction and displacement and to rebuild the country’s social fabric by bringing together local and displaced cultural producers and showcasing their work. 89. The representative of Azerbaijan expressed serious concern about the cultural property that was being unlawfully excavated, exported and sold in occupied territories. The capital gained from those activities was used to fund further illicit activities. Suggestions on how to curb these illegal activities are reflected in section VI. 90. The representative of Iraq noted the destruction of tangible and intangible cultural heritage by Daesh and stressed the plight of Christians, Yazidi, Shabak, Turkmen and other groups. Following the liberation of the areas in which those groups lived, Iraq faced many challenges related to the return of displaced persons and the restoration of cultural heritage. 91. The representative of the Baha’i International Community raised the issue of historical revisionism and noted that some Governments purposely obliterated the history and culture of certain groups due to prejudice and discrimination. VI. Conclusions and recommendations A. Conclusions 92. Discussions at the seminar focused on the need to adopt a human rights approach to the protection of cultural heritage. The destruction of cultural heritage is a human rights issue and responses to it require a holistic approach centred on the realization of human rights, particularly cultural rights. Measures to protect cultural heritage must focus on tangible and intangible heritage. 93. Participants noted existing gaps in implementation and lessons learned in the struggle to protect cultural heritage, and provided numerous recommendations for the effective design and implementation of a human rights approach to its preservation, which are compiled below. 94. Participants highlighted that the lack of an inclusive approach to what we identify as cultural heritage could lead to fractured narratives and obstacles to the universal enjoyment 13