Hello from Phnom Penh!
I hope this finds you well. We corresponded earlier regarding the Cambodia v. Sotheby's case. Given your interest in cultural heritage preservation, I thought proposed United States Senate Bill 2212 would interest you, as well.
If successful this legislation would allow foreign governments to immunize themselves from U.S. lawsuits when loaning art and antiquities to American museums. While my colleagues and I support its purpose of cultural exchange, we fear that it would leave victims of theft and looting (including Holocaust victims and nations like Cambodia) without recourse to recover their rightful property. By allowing museums to knowingly exhibit illicit artwork, it will also send a terrible message to the public, which undermines the longstanding U.S. commitment to cultural heritage preservation.
S. 2212 could be voted on this very month.
If you'd like more information, please visit the website below, or email me:
Thank you for your time — as we ourselves are running out of time to get the Senate agree to open hearings before moving forward!
PS: Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are considering similar laws so this is a global issue.
________________________________
All the best,
Tess Davis
Executive Director
Lawyers' Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation (LCCHP)
----------------------------
[US] Senate: Hold Open Hearings for S. 2212!
The Lawyers' Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation (LCCHP) is asking the Senate to postpone the United States Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act, until it has addressed concerns with this bill through open hearings.
The proposed legislation will allow foreign governments to immunize themselves from U.S. lawsuits when loaning art and antiquities to American museums. While LCCHP supports its purpose of cultural exchange, we fear that it would leave victims of theft and looting without recourse to recover their rightful property. By allowing museums to knowingly exhibit illicit artwork, it will also send a terrible message to the public, which undermines the longstanding U.S. commitment to cultural heritage preservation.
Congress has been unable to consider these concerns because of the unnecessary speed at which this bill is advancing. Many interested parties are unaware of it and have not yet made their voices heard. Given there is no apparent reason for such undue haste, we are urging the Senate to postpone this proposed legislation, pending open hearings.
No comments:
Post a Comment