This study was an attempt to examine the support of ownership, transfer and restitution of Cultural heritage according to the international and internal laws in Iran. Cultural heritage is a compound word. Heritage is defined that something is inherited and culture is knowledge and wisdom. Cultural heritage indicates all remain of national monuments from the past and also indicates the human’s life in the history. Cultural heritage can be categorized into two groups; the first one is mundane cultural heritage for instance ancient monuments and spiritual cultural heritage includes customs, music and song. Many conventions were approved in the international law level that the membered country must observe the approved rules of the cultural heritage. This study aimed to provide practical solutions to support cultural properties. The study was a qualitative research and collected data from books, papers and internet sources. The findings of the study revealed that different rules and conventions were approved according to international and internal laws, but they are not sufficient in order to protect cultural properties. Import and export of cultural heritage are considered as a crime and the criminals will be prosecuted by judicature. Moreover, intensive conventions and laws should be approved and all governments are convinced to meet international and internal laws in order to protect cultural legacy and prevent demolition of it.
Keywords: Cultural Heritage, Ownership, conventions, international and internal laws, restitution
