The restitution of cultural property and human remains looted during colonisation is a major political issue in Belgium.
From the first Congolese demands in the 1960s to recent mobilisations by diasporas, this issue continues to fuel controversy.
The Royal Museum for Central Africa, criticised for its colonial heritage, has attempted to reform, but its role in restitution remains ambiguous.
The 2022 restitution law marked a step forward by making ‘objects’ from the colonial era transferable, but its limited scope reflects persistent contradictions.
While organisations of people of Congolese and African descent have made significant progress, attempts at restitution remain insufficient. Belgium’s cultural authorities keep control over decisions and there i a serious lack of a balanced dialogue with the DRC.
