AFROMET
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AFROMET (Association For the Return Of the Magdala Ethiopian Treasures) is an organization seeking the return of looted treasures to Ethiopia.
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[edit] History
After the Battle of Magdala in 1868, the victorious British forces engaged in the customary looting of the defeated enemy capital. They seized many books and artefacts, most of which are still held in public collections such as the British Museum.
In the mid-20th century, world law and opinion gradually came to ban looting, most notably codified in the Fourth Geneva Convention. A problem remained as to the status of goods looted previously. A number of efforts to return cultural items grew up around the world, of which AFROMET is one.
[edit] Progress
The Ethiopean government started requesting the return of the looted goods within three years of the battle, with some small success[1]. However, progress in general was slow.
AFROMET was formed to systematically lobby for the repatriation of the objects, using legal means and public pressure. So far 10 items have been returned by private donors including a hand-written Book of Psalms, two Tabots and a shield. More than 460 items are still being claimed.
[edit] References
- ^ Pankhurst, Richard (2006). Ethiopian Cultural Restitution. Addis Tribune. Retrieved on February 04, 2007.
