UNESCO to promote cultural property return
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The Paris-based UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Orgnization is to hold its 16th session from Sept. 21 to 23 in Paris over Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin.
The three-day session, hosted by UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in case of Illicit Appropriation, will work on the elaboration of model rules aimed at helping States define their ownership of cultural property, particularly undiscovered archaeological objects.
Recent cases relating to the topic will be reviewed and studied, such as the ongoing negotiations between Greece and the United Kingdom concerning the Parthenon Marbles, between Turkey and Germany on the Sphinx of Boguskoy, and the recent return of the Makonde Mask by a private Swiss museum to the United Republic of Tanzania.
In addition, the creation of a database of successful restitution cases will be another important focus. The future database is intended to demonstrate the diverse types of restitution claims and arrangements possible, as well as the wide range of cultural objects and States involved, UNESCO introduced in a statement.
Furthermore, the Secretariat has invited key representatives of the art market, including renowned auction houses such as Christie's, Sotheby's and French antique association SNA and International Confederation of art and antique dealers associations (CINOA), to present their role in ensuring ethical and legal practices.
Established in 1978, the Committee is responsible for seeking ways and means of facilitating bilateral negotiations for the restitution or return of cultural property to its countries of origin, and promoting such restitution. The committee comprises 22 member states, including countries with large quantities of cultural property as well as those that are home to an active art market.
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