The Dutch government has returned 288 looted artifacts to Indonesia, marking a significant step in the restitution of cultural items taken during colonialism.
Eppo Bruins remarked that these artifacts 'should never have been in the Netherlands,' highlighting the ongoing process of addressing the country's colonial legacy.
This repatriation event reflects an evolving restitution process while many European countries still struggle with the identification and tracing of their colonial-era collections.
The Dutch government is broadening the definition of artifacts eligible for return, claiming objects seized not just in war, but also by missionaries and mercenaries.
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