Lawmaker seeks support of Parliament to decolonise Swiss museums Published on Share
On February 23, a parliamentary committee will discuss whether Switzerland should investigate the origins of artefacts in their collections that were acquired in a colonial context, with the goal of returning them if appropriate. The motion follows similar debates in other European countries that aim to set up structures and guidelines to address the issue.
The motion was put forward by Carlo Sommaruga, a Social Democrat member of Parliament, and will be debated by the Parliament’s committee for science, education and culture. It calls for technical and financial support for museums to conduct provenance research, a central system of mediation with countries of origin for disputed objects, and logistical support for repatriations or alternative solutions agreed with source communities. Sommaruga aims to gain support from other parties including centrist and rig
Lawmaker seeks support of Parliament to decolonise Swiss museums
A 17th/18th century mask from Benin, currently in the collection of the Rietberg museum. Museum Rietberg
On February 23, a parliamentary committee will discuss whether Switzerland should investigate the origins of artefacts in their collections that were acquired in a colonial context, with the goal of returning them if appropriate. The motion follows similar debates in other European countries that aim to set up structures and guidelines to address the issue.
This content was published on February 22, 2021 - 14:30
February 22, 2021 - 14:30
Catherine Hickley
The motion was put forward by Carlo Sommaruga, a Social Democrat member of Parliament, and will be debated by the Parliament’s committee for science, education and culture. It calls for technical and financial support for museums to conduct provenance research, a central system of mediation with countries of origin for disputed objects, and logistical supp