Morocco to Recover 35,000 Pieces of Stolen Heritage from France

Rabat – Morocco’s Ministry of Culture and Communication has announced the launching of a process of recovering thousands of pieces of Moroccan heritage.

According to the statement, which was published Sunday, September 29, the ministry will repatriate 35,000 artifacts key to the heritage of Morocco that were illegally taken from the country and seized by the French customs authorities.

The move is part of “its action plan for the protection of its heritage and the fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property,” and will be conducted as part of Franco-Moroccan collaboration, says the statement.

The effort to recover the items falls in line with universally recognized procedures, assured the ministry.

The move is also in line with Morocco’s commitments to implement the UNESCO Convention on the Prohibition and Prevention of the Importation, Export, and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.

The pieces, which are “of invaluable scientific value will be transferred in the coming weeks, following the completion of administrative and technical procedures,” said the ministry.

In closing, the ministry reiterated its commitment to raising awareness and preserving Morocco’s national legacy against looting and trafficking.