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The Return of Fossils Removed Under Colonial Rule 

Publication date: 12.2022

Santander Art and Culture Law Review, 2022, 2/2022 (8), pp. 89 - 114

https://doi.org/10.4467/2450050XSNR.22.013.17026

Authors

,
Paul P. Stewens
Department of International Law, Geneva Graduate Institute, Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2A, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5172-9764 Orcid
All publications →
,
Nussaïbah B. Raja
GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Department of Geography and Geosciences, Friedrich-Alexander, University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Loewenichstr. 28 91054 Erlangen, Germany
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0000-3944 Orcid
All publications →
Emma M. Dunne
GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Department of Geography and Geosciences, Friedrich-Alexander, University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Loewenichstr. 28 91054 Erlangen, Germany
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4989-5904 Orcid
All publications →

Titles

The Return of Fossils Removed Under Colonial Rule 

Abstract

Debates on the restitution of colonial loot usually focus on art, antiquities, religious artefacts, and similar objects. Many fossils of considerable scientific and cultural value were also removed under colonial rule, yet they rarely feature in these discussions despite being classified as cultural objects. This article seeks to shed light on the colonial removal of fossils and explore potential avenues for their return under public international law. Instead of focusing on the (il-)legality of colonial takings, we argue that the right to access culture has developed from the right to participate in cultural life in Article 15(1)(a) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which provides, if not a solid legal basis, a valuable set of arguments for former colonies requesting the return of fossils looted from their countries/territories of origin. The case study of the negotiations on the return of the Broken Hill skull before the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in Case of Illicit Appropriation (ICPRCP) highlights the potential of this mechanism of dispute resolution with respect to fossils. 

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Information

Information: Santander Art and Culture Law Review, 2022, 2/2022 (8), pp. 89 - 114

Article type: Original article

Titles:

Polish:

The Return of Fossils Removed Under Colonial Rule 

English:

The Return of Fossils Removed Under Colonial Rule 

Authors

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5172-9764

Paul P. Stewens
Department of International Law, Geneva Graduate Institute, Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2A, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5172-9764 Orcid
All publications →

Department of International Law, Geneva Graduate Institute, Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2A, CH-1211 Geneva, Switzerland

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0000-3944

Nussaïbah B. Raja
GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Department of Geography and Geosciences, Friedrich-Alexander, University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Loewenichstr. 28 91054 Erlangen, Germany
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0000-3944 Orcid
All publications →

GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Department of Geography and Geosciences, Friedrich-Alexander, University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Loewenichstr. 28 91054 Erlangen, Germany

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4989-5904

Emma M. Dunne
GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Department of Geography and Geosciences, Friedrich-Alexander, University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Loewenichstr. 28 91054 Erlangen, Germany
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4989-5904 Orcid
All publications →

GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Department of Geography and Geosciences, Friedrich-Alexander, University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Loewenichstr. 28 91054 Erlangen, Germany

Published at: 12.2022

Article status: Open

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Percentage share of authors:

Paul P. Stewens (Author) - 33.33%
Nussaïbah B. Raja (Author) - 33.33%
Emma M. Dunne (Author) - 33.33%

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