French lawmakers in the National Assembly on Monday (April 13) passed a bill to simplify the return of artworks and other prized artefacts looted during the country's colonial era to their countries of origin, France 24 reported.
French lawmaker Jérémie Patrier-Leitus posted a video on Monday of his speech regarding the passing of the bill, referencing French writer Victor Hugo's letter in 1861 to Captain Butler about the sack of the Summer Palace in Beijing that "One day will come when France, once freed and cleansed, will return this plunder to looted China."
The new measure specifically targets objects acquired between 1815 and 1972, according to RFI.
Lawmakers also voted for the French government to publish an annual list of works that may have been acquired illicitly, in order to ensure better information for requesting states, per France 24.
(Source: China Daily)
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