Berlin, January 8, 2025
Germany’s Federal Cabinet today approved the reform of the Advisory Commission by establishing an arbitration court for Nazi-looted art. This decision lays the groundwork for improved restitution practices on the federal level.
The Cabinet decision is the result of intensive, constructive, and cross-party collaboration between the federal government, states, municipal associations, the Central Council of Jews, and the Jewish Claims Conference. A majority of the states have already passed corresponding Cabinet resolutions.
Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth stated:
“Germany is better meeting its historical responsibility through the reform of the Advisory Commission. I thank my colleagues in the Federal Cabinet, particularly Foreign Minister Baerbock, Finance Minister Kukies, and Justice Minister Wissing, as well as the states and municipal associations, for their excellent cross-party cooperation.
The intensive involvement of the Jewish Claims Conference and the Central Council of Jews in this reform process has been especially important, and I extend my deepest gratitude to them. I would also like to thank the Advisory Commission and its chairman, Professor Dr. Papier, for their valuable work, their contributions to advancing restitution practices, and their willingness to facilitate the transition to an arbitration court.
With this arbitration court, we will be better positioned to achieve fair and just solutions in line with the Washington Principles. We are making the restitution of Nazi-looted art easier, particularly through the introduction of unilateral access to the court, which will now also apply in Germany. Additionally, we are creating greater legal certainty and binding standards. We have agreed on a collaborative approach regarding the composition of the arbitration court, involving representatives from the federal government, states, municipalities, victims and their descendants, the Jewish Claims Conference, and the Central Council of Jews.”
Source – Press and Information Office of the Federal Government (BPA) – e-translated