French Assembly unanimously passes amended bill for restitution of cultural goods looted during colonial era

On Monday, April 13, the French National Assembly unanimously approved an amended version of legislation concerning the restitution of cultural property plundered during the colonial period. This follows the Senate's earlier passage of the bill. The text, which has undergone several modifications through amendments, must now be reviewed by a joint parliamentary committee to reconcile differences between the positions of senators and deputies. The bill addresses the long-awaited issue of returning cultural artifacts taken from former colonies. The legislative process aims to establish a framework for the return of these items. The unanimous vote in the lower house indicates broad political support for the measure. The next step involves harmonizing the versions from both chambers before final adoption.