ASIL SEMINAR

Written By Melina Antoniadis

‘New Moves for the Repatriation of Historically Displaced Cultural Property in Asia’ (asia-pacific interest group)

In March 2025, NOSTOS Strategies was invited to participate as a panellist at the American Society of International Law (Asia-Pacific Interest Group) seminar on ‘New Moves for the Repatriation of Historically Displaced Cultural Property in Asia‘ (see programme here). The webinar explored the historical looting of artefacts from Asian countries, and recent repatriation initiatives in Asia, including Cambodia, China and South Korea.

The seminar examined the potential impact of the Qingdao Recommendations, adopted in June 2024, as a new approach for the repatriation of cultural heritage in Asia. NOSTOS Strategies served as an International Expert to the National Cultural Heritage Administration of China (NCHA) and advised on the drafting of the Recommendations (see here). 

Melina emphasised the need or Asian countries to do more to advocate for and raise awareness about the return of their looted heritage. The panelists agreed that Asian countries should take more decisive action on this issue, possibly by establishing a joint regional strategy, similar to the significant progress made by Africa in this area.  Melina also noted that successful campaigns, such as Cambodia’s, could serve as model for many Asian countries in terms of applying effective strategies and practice, given their shared historical context. 

Melina also highlighted the potential value of an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice to determine whether certain legal obligations regarding cultural heritage exist as customary international law and general principles of law. This would specifically address the prohibition of intentional destruction and looting of cultural property, with restitution and return of cultural property to countries of origin being a remedy for violations of this obligation. Instruments such as the Qingdao Recommendations can serve as evidence of state practice and opinio juris in this regard. 

Panellists:

  • Zhu Ye, Deputy Director, National Cultural Heritage Administration of China, Exchange and Cooperation Department

  • Melina Antoniadis, Founder, NOSTOS Strategies

  • Patty Gerstenblith, Distinguished Research Professor of Law; Faculty Director, Center for Art, Museum & Cultural Heritage Law, DePaul University

  • Gyooho Lee, School of Law, Chung-Ang University, Seoul

Moderators:

  • David J. Devlaeminck, Co-Chair, Asia-Pacific Interest Group

  • Shea Esterling, Chair, Cultural Heritage and the Arts Interest Group

Melina Antoniadis
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