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French Parliament Debates Bill to Simplify Return of Looted Art
Parliament Debates Art Restitution Bill
The French Parliament is debating a bill aimed at simplifying the return of tens of thousands of artworks and artifacts looted from its colonial empire. This legislation specifically targets items acquired between 1815 and 1972. The draft law received unanimous approval from the upper house in January and now requires the assent of the National Assembly, the lower house, before it can be enacted.
Political Divide Over Legislation's Scope
The proposed legislation has drawn criticism across the political spectrum in France. The far-left advocates for expanding its scope to include more items, while the far-right seeks to limit its reach. French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to return such items shortly after taking office in 2017, acknowledging past French abuses on the African continent. He vowed that Paris would no longer interfere in its former colonies' affairs and committed to facilitating the return of looted artifacts.
*Source: YouTube: africanews (2026-04-14)*
