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November 06, 2019 0 Comments

British Museum is world’s largest receiver of stolen property, leading human rights lawyer claims

“This is a time for humility – something the British, still yearning for the era when they ruled the world, ie for Brexit, do not do very well,” he writes in the book. ”Before it releases any of its share of other people’s cultural heritage, the British Museum could mount an exhibition: The Spoils of Empire.” 

He adds: “Politicians may make more or less sincere apologies for the crimes of their former empires, but the only way now available to redress them is to return the spoils of the rape of Egypt and China and the destruction of African and Asian and South American societies.”

A British Museum spokeswoman confirmed that a “stolen goods tour” is run by an external guide. She said the Elgin marbles were acquired legally, “not as a result of conflict or violence”.

“Lord Elgin’s activities were thoroughly investigated by a parliamentary select committee in 1816 and found to be entirely legal,” she said. 

“The British Museum acknowledges the difficult histories of some of its collections, including the contested means by which some collections have been acquired such as through military action and subsequent looting.”