DARCA is intended for use when considering the return of cultural artefacts held by cultural institutions as part of their collections. It is not intended for use when considering the return of human remains or property lost or stolen during the Nazi period in Europe; these issues are already covered by existing laws, guidance, and mechanisms. It is also not intended for use with digital artefacts, which raise a number of further ethical and legal issues.
The outcomes provided by DARCA do not constitute legal advice – nor is DARCA intended to assess the strength of a legal claim or the legality by which a cultural artefact might have been historically removed or might be returned. Rather, it sets out questions that can guide decision-makers in assessing factors that may contribute to the strength of a moral obligation to return cultural artefacts in particular situations.
Accordingly, this decision aid is for information purposes only and does not constitute financial, technical, legal, or any other form of advice – The outputs from DARCA are intended to enable and facilitate the free and frank exchange of views for the purposes of deliberation. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the University accepts no liability or responsibility for any reliance made on the decision aid or its outputs.
