Objectifs :
The main objective of these guidelines is to provide practical guidance for German museums to responsibly manage, research, and handle collections acquired during the colonial era in collaboration with countries and communities of origin.
Mesures de restitution :
The guidelines aim to create a proactive, dialogue-driven approach for returning material heritage obtained during Germany’s colonial period. They emphasise the moral basis for repatriation and prioritise the return of human ancestors as a moral obligation. They encourage voluntary – rather than demands-based – restitution, and fostering this through transparent, partnership-based provenance research.
Limites:
Museums may choose to follow the guidelines, but they are not legally binding. This means they guidelines lack specific, actionable legal criteria for restitution, and rely on voluntary dialogue rather than mandatory mechanisms for repatriation and return.
