Panel #2: Reparatory justice and cultural heritage: museums and restitutionThe panel will take place on
Wednesday 15 April from 15:00 to 18:00.Reparatory justice has emerged as a central demand in addressing the enduring legacies of enslavement, colonialism, apartheid, and systemic racism affecting people of African descent. These historical injustices have produced structural inequalities that continue to shape access to resources, opportunities, and the enjoyment of human rights across generations. As many museums continue to hold artifacts that were stolen or appropriated during these periods, the restitution of cultural heritage has become a critical component of reparatory justice. Some action has been initiated at national, regional and international levels, including OHCHR recommendations, General Assembly resolutions on the return or restitution of cultural property,1 the UNESCO 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property, which emphasizes the importance of cultural heritage for identity, dignity, and sustainable development, further practical action is needed.
Returning looted or appropriated artifacts and ensuring inclusive narratives are essential steps toward acknowledging past wrongs, restoring dignity, and promoting equity for affected communities. Therefore, this panel will examine restitution not only as a normative or technical matter, but as a substantive issue linked to historical justice and reparations, cultural continuity, and intergenerational rights. It will also reflect on the evolving role of museums and approaches to cooperation, and consider how discussions on cultural heritage and restitution can contribute to shaping the content of the United Nations declaration on the respect, protection and fulfilment of the human rights of people of African descent, drawing from the programme of activities of the Second International Decade for People of African Descent.
PFPAD5 Concept note (
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1. See A/RES/79/133; A/HRC/47/53
