The ongoing debate surrounding the repatriation of the Benin Bronzes has been met with skepticism from a prominent figure in British race relations. Sir Trevor Phillips, formerly at the helm of the Commission for Racial Equality, contends that the arguments advocating for their return are fundamentally “weak,” citing the intricate historical backdrop surrounding these artifacts.
For decades, the Nigerian government has persistently sought the return of these bronzes – dispersed across global museums following the devastating 1897 raid on the Kingdom of Benin by British forces. This campaign has intensified recently as various institutions, including Cambridge and Oxford universities, have begun returning items to their origins.
Phillips, who served as head of the Commission for Racial Equality from 2003 to 2006, cautions against viewing the issue through a simplistic lens of right versus wrong. He co-authored a report by the Policy Exchange think tank which advises museums to resist hasty restitution agreements driven solely by moral appeals and political pressure.
The report acknowledges that returning artifacts is frequently presented as an opportunity for institutions to address historical injustices. However, it argues that the legitimacy of such claims “varies considerably” and remains subject to substantial debate across historical, philosophical, and political domains.
Phillips elaborated on the complexities involved using the Benin Bronzes as an example: “These pieces were acquired in the late 19th century following a punitive expedition.” He further pointed out that many of these bronzes were originally obtained through trade – specifically exchanges involving brass for enslaved people procured through Portuguese merchants.
Phillips suggested that maintaining the bronzes within British museums could actually benefit those with a connection to them, allowing wider access than restricting them to the private collections of leaders within the Edo community.
“The case for returning them is weak,” Phillips stated. “Yet in other situations – such as religious artifacts still actively venerated by their originating communities – the justification for return can be significantly stronger.”
Currently, legal restrictions prevent museums from permanently relinquishing items from their collections. However, recent legislative changes within the Charities Act 2022 inadvertently created a potential avenue for disposal if a “moral obligation” exists. Conservative ministers failed to fully address this loophole prior to the general election, leaving the possibility open for a future government to leverage these provisions to facilitate the return of items like the Elgin Marbles to Greece.
- The Nigerian Government has consistently called for the repatriation of the Benin Bronzes.
- Sir Trevor Phillips argues that the case for returning the bronzes is “weak” due to their complex history.
- A Policy Exchange report advises museums against hasty restitution deals driven by political pressure.
- Current legislation complicates the process, creating a potential loophole for repatriation under a “moral obligation.”