Objectifs :
This Act aligns German domestic law with internal conventions such as the he UNESCO 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. Its aim is to protect cultural property that is crucial to Germany’s cultural identity from illegal export, theft and loss, and facilitates the return of illegally imported cultural heritage to its country of origin.
Mesures de restitution :
The Act bans the importation of cultural property into Germany if it was illegally exported from its country of origin. It imposes stricter regulations around the verification of provenance, particularly for art dealers. It enables Germany to initiate return to countries of origin, or for countries of origin to approach Germany with a demand. It extends the limitation period for restitution from 30 to 75 years.
Limites:
The Act prioritises government-supported return rather than initiatives led by the community. The policy also gives precedence to cultural heritage claims connected to national heritage in the country of origin, rather than those related to heritage valued by a community from that country. While the limitation period is extended, it does not encompass cultural heritage that was exported during Germany’s colonial era (1884–1919).
