LONDON, March 13 (Alliance News): British lawmakers, NGOs, and researchers have called on the government to address a legal loophole that allows museums and institutions to hold and display African ancestral remains taken during the colonial era.
Despite global efforts to return such remains, many are still housed in British institutions, including museums and universities. Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who has been leading the campaign, emphasized the need to prevent the dehumanization of ancestors and to halt the commercial trade of human remains.
The cross-party group on reparations plans to present 14 policy recommendations, including amendments to the Human Tissues Act 2004, which currently excludes remains of those who died over a century ago. Advocates are also pushing for a national restitution policy and a dedicated body to handle repatriation claims.
The UK government has agreed to further discussions, with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner acknowledging the issue’s urgency. A meeting with the culture minister is expected soon.
