Objectives:
Authorize restitution of Saartjie Baartman’s remains from France to South Africa following President Mandela’s request. Remove remains from Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle collections through parliamentary legislation.
Restitution Measures:
Special parliamentary law enacted March 6, 2002, enabling successful repatriation on May 3, 2002, with burial in Hankey on August 9, 2002, after eight years of negotiations.
Limitations:
Required specific parliamentary legislation due to inalienable collections status. Carefully worded to avoid setting legal precedent for other restitution claims, limiting broader applicability for future cases.
