French Senate approves draft bill on return of colonial-era artefacts

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - The French Senate on Wednesday approved a draft bill on the restitution of cultural property acquired during colonization to their countries of origin.

"On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, the Senate amended the draft bill on the restitution of cultural property originating from states that were deprived of it as a result of illicit appropriation. The draft bill as adopted will then be forwarded to the National Assembly," the upper house announced.

The unanimously approved bill aims to facilitate the complex process of returning property acquired by France illegally during the colonial era.

"It introduces an exception to the principle of inalienability, limited to specific cases, to allow the removal of cultural property from public collections, under certain conditions, upon request, for the purpose of restitution. This restitution will be an option available to public entities, which will have to assess its appropriateness," the Senate said.