Will Europe Ever Return Looted Asian Artefacts

Context: 

This editorial is based on the news “Will Europe ever return ‘looted’ Asian artefacts?” which was published in the Indian Express. During the Cambodian Prime Minister’s state visit to France in January, the French President pledged support for returning more Khmer artefacts and for technical assistance to expand the National Museum of Cambodia.

• He is often cited as the first European leader to support the long-standing demands from Asian states for the return of their antiquities.

Artefacts Returns & Exchanges: Present Scenario

• Select returns made Recently: France, Germany, Netherlands sent back some artefacts to Asian and African countries, but limited compared to vast collections amassed during colonial era.

France Map

• Legal Complexities: UNESCO convention not applicable retrospectively on colonial acquisitions and domestic laws for restitution being mulled but politically contentious.
• Reluctance by Museums: Refusing to part with rare valuable items like the Java Man fossils. Concerns about emptying collections and loss of revenue
• Returns linked to Diplomacy: Netherlands apology tied to handover to Indonesia is seen as a goodwill gesture for better relations.
• Draft EU Resolution: To seek a permanent body for restorative justice on colonialism, but no concerted efforts on rectifying inequities so far.
• Reckoning with Uncomfortable Past: Returning artefacts taken forcefully makes up for the wrong excesses done during colonial rule. It shows Europe’s commitment to human rights and international laws today.
• International Organization: The UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, 1970 is the principal legal source dealing when a country makes a claim to have its possessions returned.
  • But it does not apply retrospectively, so it does not include the peak phase of colonialism.

Significance of Artefacts Return For Europe

• Soft Power Image: Giving back cultural heritage builds progressive image of Europe.
• Strengthen of Relations: It helps to strengthen the political and economic ties with Asian/African countries.

Role That India Can Play

• Take Use of Good Ties with Europe: India is well positioned to intervene as a post-colonial democracy with good relations with Europe.
• Mediation: India can facilitate the dialogue between both sides by mediating. It helps to find solutions being seen as neutral by everyone.

Conclusion

If European museums were to return more artefacts, it would “represent a monumental step towards a larger soft power strategy in the region, especially where there seems to be residual anti-colonial sentiment”. However, they will have to “make a more public display of their efforts and be willing to cooperate” with the region’s governments in their investigations.