The French government has adopted a bill that facilitates the restitution of cultural objects plundered from former colonies, eight years after President Emmanuel Macron pledged to return African heritage. Presented by Culture Minister Rachida Dati, the bill maintains that French public collections are inalienable but creates an exemption for items taken by force between 1815 and 1972. Restitution requests must come from foreign states, be for public preservation and display, and involve items allegedly stolen, looted, or sold under duress. A bilateral scientific committee will examine each case, with final approval from the Conseil d'État. The bill aims to replace the current slow, case-by-case legislative process that has resulted in only 30 objects returned since 2017.
This bill matters because it represents a significant shift in France's approach to colonial-era restitution, moving from ad hoc laws to a systematic framework. However, it faces political hurdles, including sensitivity around France's imperial past and opposition from figures like Senator Pierre Ouzoulias, who criticizes the process as rushed and potentially serving diplomatic interests rather than cultural justice. The legislation also raises complex questions about donations and legacies, which are normally protected from deaccessioning. If passed, it could set a precedent for other former colonial powers and accelerate the return of thousands of African and Oceanic artefacts currently held in French museums.