Turkey backs Greece's claim to Parthenon Sculptures at UNESCO Conference

In an interview with ERTnews, Boz compared the sculptures and undocumented historical documents. “Consider a document written today that lacks a signature, seal or identifying mark, found 200 years later; it’s merely paper with text,” she explained.

Boz argued that the document purportedly legitimizing the Ottoman Empire’s sale of the sculptures to England is devoid of any official markings, such as the sultan’s signature, rendering it unofficial.

Expressing her anticipation for the sculptures' return, Boz stated, "I eagerly await the day when the Parthenon Marbles reunite with the sky they deserve, displayed in the splendor of the Acropolis Museum."

During the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in Case of Illicit Appropriation (ICPRCP) session held in Paris from May 29-31, Boz further challenged one of the British Museum's key arguments against the sculptures' return. She emphasized the lack of written authorization allowing Britain's Lord Elgin to sell significant sections of the Parthenon’s sculptural decorations, removed between 1801 and 1812 when Athens was under Ottoman rule. “We are not aware of any document legitimizing this purchase,” Boz declared.

Boz's comments directly confront the British Museum's stance that the sculptures were legally obtained with the permission of the Ottoman authorities. She described the removal of the marble as an act by "U.K. colonialists" and questioned the legality of the acquisition even under the law of the time.

“We wholeheartedly look forward to celebrating the return of the sculptures, as we believe it will mark a change of behavior towards the protection of cultural property and be the strongest message given globally,” Boz added.