Baku Initiative Group urges French leader to repatriate stolen artifacts

A Baku-based initiative group has initiated an international campaign following the "Decolonization: Awakening of the Renaissance" conference in Istanbul, demanding the return of cultural and material artifacts looted by France from Africa.

The petition, addressed to French President Emmanuel Macron, urges the amendment of legislation and repatriation of over 90,000 stolen works to their rightful countries of origin, APA reports.

The campaign comes in the wake of the "Decolonization: Awakening of the Renaissance" conference held in Istanbul, highlighting the ongoing impact of colonialism and the need for restitution.

The Baku-based group emphasizes the importance of acknowledging historical injustices and restoring cultural heritage to its rightful owners.

The campaign underscores broader efforts towards decolonization and restitution, signaling a growing international consensus on addressing the legacy of colonialism.

Over 90,000 cultural treasures looted from African countries during the colonial period are currently displayed in French museums, with the fate of stolen artifacts from the Sahara region remaining uncertain.

French President Emmanuel Macron pledged in 2017 to return Africa's cultural treasures within five years, but seven years later, the promise remains unfulfilled.

Research indicates that two-thirds of the artifacts exhibited at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris were stolen from Africa between 1885 and 1960.

France has tightened its laws to prevent the restitution of stolen wealth from its former colonies, obstructing the implementation of restitution through bureaucratic means.

Initially, cultural assets could be temporarily exhibited in museums located in the source countries under a loan system, but France's legislation impedes this process.

The Baku initiative group's campaign reflects a broader movement advocating for the repatriation of looted artifacts and restitution for historical injustices. By calling on President Macron to take action, the group underscores the imperative of acknowledging colonial-era wrongs and restoring cultural heritage to its rightful owners.

As momentum builds for restitution efforts worldwide, the campaign highlights the pressing need for accountability and justice in addressing the legacies of colonialism.