The Netherlands hosts International Conference on Nazi-Looted Art Restitution

Restitution is essential in the pursuit of legal redress for the victims. That is why the Netherlands is making efforts to return art looted by the Nazis to its rightful owners. This week, representatives from 12 countries will meet in The Hague to exchange knowledge and experience in this area. The National Coordinator for Combating Antisemitism (NCAB) is the host.

Eddo Verdoner (NCAB): “To prevent the recurrence of these anti-Semitic crimes, they must have consequences. That is not an easy task. It requires patience, perseverance and knowledge. That is why it is essential to work together with other countries. To help each other and learn from each other. We are proud to organize this meeting in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice, to promote this important cause.”

The delegations will exchange experiences with restitution in various interactive sessions. A visit to the National Holocaust Museum is also on the program. The Netherlands will provide substantive contributions regarding the importance of war archives and on dealing with so-called orphaned art. This approach is also instructive for other countries.

There are still works of art in the possession of the Dutch State that were probably stolen from Jewish owners, but whose owner has not yet been found, so-called orphaned Jewish looted art. It is becoming increasingly difficult to determine the rightful owners. Other countries are facing the same challenges. The Orphaned Jewish Looted Art Commission is currently investigating how objects whose owners have not been found can be transferred to the Jewish community.