Works of art stolen by the Nazis: Parliament passed a “historic” law

“Historic and highly symbolic.” It was with these words that Senator Beatrice Gosselin (relative of the Republic of Lithuania) described the law adopted on Thursday on the restitution of works of art stolen by the Nazis. The National Assembly and then the Senate unanimously voted for this text.

The purpose of the law is to establish a general framework for the removal of works from museums in order to return them to their rightful owners. Until now, this restitution had to be carried out through legislative texts on a case-by-case basis. The beneficiaries will also be able to conclude an agreement to receive compensation other than restitution.

Almost 100,000 works stolen by the Nazis in France

“This day will encourage us to think about all the families whose objects, works of art, books have been looted, pieces of a history that is both personal and collective,” said Rima Culture Minister Abdul Malak, welcoming the “law of action” that will allow “ specific acts of justice.

The text targets property stolen between 30 January 1933 and 8 May 1945 “in the context of the anti-Semitic persecution carried out by Nazi Germany, by the authorities of the territories they occupied, controlled or influenced, and by the French authorities” . Status from July 10, 1940 to August 24, 1944.

“As far as I know, this is the first time that the date of July 10, 1940 is mentioned in the law, and therefore the vote in which 426 deputies and 244 senators transferred all powers to Marshal Pétain,” confirmed Pierre Ouzoulia, a communist senator of O -de. – Seine.

According to the Ministry of Culture, about 100,000 works were stolen in France during World War II, including 60,000 found in Germany after the Liberation. 45,000 were returned and 2,200 donated to national museums.