France looks at law for returning colonial-era artifacts The French government has presented a draft law that would enable France to return certain cultural artifacts taken from African countries during the colonial eraPARIS -- The French government presented a draft law Wednesday that would enable France to return certain cultural artifacts taken from African countries during the colonial era. The law, which will go to parliament for consideration, centers on the transfer of ownership of several African objects, including a saber loaned to Senegal last year. French President Emmanuel Macron first announced plans to repatriate the cultural artifacts in 2018 following a report he commissioned from academic researchers. The new legislation stipulates that these objects must be given back within one year from when the law goes into effect. Museums such as Paris’ Louvre and London’s British Museum have vociferously opposed laws that would require them to send cultural artifacts back to their countries of origin, arguing that such policies would empty Western museums.

Source: ABC News July 16, 2020 12:34 UTC