Pressing Matter Lecture by Dr. Marie-Sophie de Clippele

Date: October 1, 2024
Time: 3:30 – 5:00 PM (CEST)
Location: Initium, room IN 2A-45
Address: De Boelelaan 1105, Amsterdam
Organisation: Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU), Pressing Matter

“Is the tide turning for the repatriation of human remains in museums?”

The presence of human remains in museums originates from various sources: they may have been preserved immediately after death, excavated during archaeological digs, or collected in foreign countries, the latter often under contentious circumstances during colonial periods. What justifies the presence of these human remains in collections? Do they not rightfully belong to their place of origin? There is currently no (international) right to repatriate human remains preserved in collections located in a country other than their country of origin. Despite these legal shortcomings some recent developments are interesting to note. The recent changes seem to welcome a new era of repatriations, based on an inclusive heritage justice model.

Dr. Marie-Sophie de Clippele is Assistant professor of law, holding a chair in nature and heritage law at UC Louvain Saint-Louis – Brussels. Her research focuses on cultural heritage and environmental law, with a strong interest in legal theory. She participates in various interdisciplinary research projects relating to the restitution of colonial collections, the status of human remains, the digitization of natural history collections, or the rights of nature. Her first monograph addressed the burden of heritage (‘Protéger le patrimoine culturel: à qui incombe la charge?’, PUSL, 2020) while her second book deals with human remains (‘Restes humains et patrimoine culturel, de quels droits?’, Anthemis, 2023).

Free admission, for questions and registration, please send an e-mail to Elsbeth Dekker, e.m.dekker@vu.nl