08 December 2021
The United Nations (UN) General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution (supported by 111 countries) introduced by Greece entitled: “Return or restitution of cultural property to the countries of origin”. This resolution received the most support by member states, including African states.
This is a significant result for this resolution, which was adopted by the 76th UNGA's Plenary Session on Monday, 06 December 2021.
Greece's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release notes: "This latest success of our country is part of its tireless international efforts to protect cultural goods in particular, but also cultural heritage in general, from their illegal trafficking both in peacetime and in wartime. In addition, it highlights the need to reintegrate into their historical environment cultural goods that have been stolen and illegally possessed."
It is hoped that this may assist Greece's ongoing diplomatic efforts in persuading the British government and the British Museum to reunite the Parthenon Marbles that are still in London with those in the Acropolis Museum in Athens.
"Cultural property is not simply a testimony of a nation's past but the reflection of a country's history and heritage," Greece's representative at the UN, Maria Theofili, told the assembly. "Therefore it must be protected ... and be restored to its historic environment where it could best inspire the collective conscience of humanity."
Greece's Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis visited the UK three weeks ago and met with UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson to suggest dialogue on the matter of the Parthenon Marbles, in order to find a solution to the continued division of these sculptures, which ultimately will always belong to the Parthenon.
To read the document, follow the link here.
The Coordinator of this Resolution was Mrs Artemis Papathanassiou, Senior Legal Advisor at the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mrs Papathanassiou presided over the relevant negotiations.
Significant also this year, was Greece' s recent presentation at UNESCO's ICPRCP session 27-29 September 2021. More on the outcome of that session in our news posts on this website:
UK Government disagrees with UNESCO's ICPRCP decision 07.10.2021
Labour's opportunity to stand united on the reunification of the Parthenon Marbles 04.12.2021
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