What's happened
A conference marking 25 years since the adoption of international standards for restituting Nazi-looted artwork presented new best practices, with more than 20 countries adopting them. A US State Department report found little progress in restitution in 47 countries, while a new agreement, 'Best Practices for the Washington Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art,' clarifies ambiguities in the guidelines. The new standards aim to promote just and fair solutions for victims of the Holocaust and their heirs.
Why it matters
The presentation of new best practices for the restitution of Nazi-looted art is significant as it clarifies ambiguities in the guidelines set out by the 1998 Washington Principles. This move is likely to accelerate the return of stolen art and promote fair solutions for victims and their heirs. The lack of progress in restitution in many countries underscores the importance of these new standards in addressing the ongoing issue of Nazi-looted art.
What the papers say
The US State Department report highlighted the lack of progress in restitution efforts, emphasizing the need for urgent resolution of remaining claims. The report also underscored the recognition of forced sales and the importance of resolving property claims. In contrast, the New York Times focused on the new agreement signed by a group of nations to reinforce the Washington Principles, clarifying interpretations and promoting fair solutions for Holocaust victims and their heirs.
How we got here
The 1998 Washington Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art established guidelines for addressing artwork stolen by the Nazis. The recent presentation of new best practices by the World Jewish Restitution Organization and the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany aims to enhance these principles and accelerate the restitution process. The move comes after 25 years of efforts to address the issue of Nazi-looted art and follows a US State Department report highlighting the lack of progress in many countries.
More on these topics
-
The Washington Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art, formally the Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art and sometimes referred to as the Washington Declaration is a statement concerning the restitution of art confiscated by the Nazi regim
-
National Socialism, more commonly known as Nazism, is the ideology and practices associated with the Nazi Party—officially the National Socialist German Workers' Party —in Nazi Germany, and of other far-right groups with similar ideas and aims.