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Should countries return stolen artifacts?
It is morally correct, and reflects basic property laws, that stolen or looted property should be returned to its rightful owner. Cultural objects belong together with the cultures that created them; these objects are a crucial part of contemporary cultural and political identity.
Should museums return looted artifacts to their countries of origin?
Yes because… Artefacts belong to their country of origin; repatriation is the right thing to do. That link should be honoured by returning the artefacts to the place where they were originally made and used.
Is stealing artifacts a war crime?
Looted art has been a consequence of looting during war, natural disaster and riot for centuries. Looting of art, archaeology and other cultural property may be an opportunistic criminal act or may be a more organized case of unlawful or unethical pillage by the victor of a conflict.
Do museums pay for artifacts?
They rely mostly on donations. On the rare occasions when something is so important that it has to be acquired for a collection, then museums may bid at auction for that item. The funds to purchase may come from grant funds or accrued donations from visitors.
Why is repatriation important?
Repatriation is about restoring dignity and making right the wrongs of the past. Repatriation is important as it shows respect for the dead, for cultural beliefs, and for the hurt that has been caused to source communities as a result of the development of science and museum collections.
What happens when an object is repatriated?
Repatriation means the return of cultural items or individuals that were removed from their homeland. In the United States, repatriation almost exclusively refers to Native American archaeological artifacts and human remains being returned to their tribes from museums and other collections.
When was looting made illegal?
In the aftermath of World War II, a number of war criminals were prosecuted for pillage. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (1993-2017) brought several prosecutions for pillage. The Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 explicitly prohibits the looting of civilian property during wartime.
Is Stealing art illegal?
Yes, you most certainly can. And you can be sued. If an artistic style copies another artist’s, enough to cause confusion about who the artist is, that is called copyright infringement, and recompense can be gained through the courts.
What is the UNIDROIT Convention on stolen cultural objects?
The UNIDROIT Convention on Stolen and Illegally Exported Cultural Objects of 1995 is more stringent and controversial than the earlier UNESCO convention.
Should the Netherlands return looted art to its former colonies?
In “ Return Looted Art to Former Colonies, Dutch Committee Tells Government ,” Claire Moses writes: The Netherlands should return looted art to its former colonies: That’s the official recommendation of an advisory committee to the Dutch government.
Which country has returned a collection of ancient artifacts?
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., announced the return of a collection of ancient artifacts to the Italian Republic during a ceremony. More The Republic of Korea returned 11 dinosaur fossils that were smuggled into the country from Mongolia.
Did any countries have laws to protect cultural property before 1900?
While some nations enacted national laws before 1900, most did not or were unable to enforce them. El Salvador claimed all cultural property for the state as early as 1903 and only allows the export of “multiple” artifacts.