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Time for Museums to Return their Treasures?

Should Western museums return important cultural objects to their countries of origin?

The museums of Western nations are full of other peoples' cultural heritage from the developing world. How are they dealing with claims to return objects to their countries of origin and who is helping make this happen? The head of the UNESCO committee for the return cultural property – exported both legally and illegally – discusses successes, sticking points, and possible ways forward. Director of the British Museum, Dr David Wilson, discusses the issues and legal constraints as well as the "vicious circle" of the illegal trade in antiquities.

Presenter: Malcolm Billings.

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29 minutes

Â鶹Éç World Service Archive

This programme was restored as part of the World Service archive project