France Passes Law to Facilitate Return of Looted African Art
After nine years since President Emmanuel Macron pledged to return African artifacts stored in French museums, France has introduced a new law to ease the restitution process. This legislation, which both chambers of Parliament unanimously approved, will come into effect this month. It creates an exception to the rule against transferring cultural items that were wrongfully taken between 1815 and 1972. Previously, these items could only be transferred as diplomatic gifts, a practice that seldom faced challenges. Experts, like Franck Ogou from the School of African Heritage in Porto Novo, Benin, see this as a significant advancement. Macron first announced this initiative in 2017 during a speech at the University of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso, stressing that African heritage should be returned.
Key facts
- France passed a law easing the return of looted African art.
- The law was passed unanimously by both houses of Parliament.
- It creates an exception for cultural property appropriated between 1815 and 1972.
- Previously, items in French public collections were considered inalienable.
- President Emmanuel Macron first pledged restitution in 2017.
- Macron spoke at the University of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso.
- Franck Ogou, director of the School of African Heritage, praised the law.
- The law is expected to be formally enacted this month.
Entities
Institutions
- School of African Heritage
- University of Ouagadougou
- French Parliament
Locations
- France
- Porto Novo
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Ouagadougou