October 16, 2014
What will the UK do about the Parthenon Sculptures UNESCO mediation request
As I mentioned in the previous post, it is now over a year since Greece submitted their application to Britain via UNESCO, for mediation of the Parthenon Marbles dispute.
Andrew George MP, Chair of the Marbles Reunited campaign has asked the British government what they are dong about this request. Jeremy Corbyn MP, another well known supporter of restitution for the sculptures also got involved, pressing the government for a sensible answer, when none seemed to be forthcoming.
ITV news also has more coverage of this story, including a brief video clip.
Andrew George MP, Chair of the Marbles Reunited campaign
From:
Andrew George MP
Parthenon Sculptures
16th October 2014Andrew George (St Ives) (LD):
What his policy is on the UNESCO proposal for mediation with Greece on the Parthenon sculptures in the British Museum.[905472]The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mrs Helen Grant):
The Government note that UNESCO stands ready to facilitate mediation discussions on the Parthenon sculptures. We will consider the proposal and respond in due course. We are clear that the sculptures are legally owned by the British museum, which continues to provide access for all.
Andrew George:
I am sure that if the UK is confident in its position, it will willingly engage with UNESCO in the offer of mediation. Although some might delude themselves on this matter, the fact is that parading stolen booty in the otherwise excellent British museum brings shame on this country. Surely the United Kingdom now needs to engage constructively and graciously recognise that the Parthenon sculptures should return to Athens.
Mrs Grant:
We are engaging constructively. We will respond to the offer in due course. The suitability objectives and benefits of mediation need to be considered before that point, but I repeat that the sculptures are the property of the British museum, which provides access to all free of charge.Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North) (Lab):
Can the Minister be a bit more specific about when the constructive engagement will come to a conclusion? The point made by the hon. Gentleman was that those items were stolen from the people of Greece, and there are very strong feelings in Greece about that. Perhaps our relationship with Greece would be improved if we constructively engaged with it with a view to returning some, if not all, of these items.Mrs Grant:
I do not accept that the items were stolen, but I assure the hon. Gentleman that there is constructive engagement between the UK and Greek Governments. The matter was discussed at the beginning of October at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
- Early day motion 852 UNESCO mediation and the Marbles : March 27, 2015
- Early Day Motion on UNESCO Mediation for Parthenon Sculptures : April 11, 2014
- Letter from IARPS to David Cameron about Parthenon Marbles : December 3, 2014
- Andrew George MP to table Parthenon Marbles EDM : March 9, 2015
- House of Commons Early Day Motion to highlight recent developments relating to Parthenon Marbles return : November 8, 2012
- Marbles Reunited statement on Russia Parthenon Marbles loan : December 6, 2014
- Elgin Marbles Early Day Motion : February 5, 2006
- When will UK respond to Parthenon Marbles mediation request : February 25, 2014
keeptalkingGR said,
10.16.14 at 7:53 pm
RT @elginism: Blog post: What will UK do about Parthenon Sculptures UNESCO mediation request http://t.co/4hlSwrXcYs
MforMags said,
10.16.14 at 7:54 pm
RT @elginism: Blog post: What will UK do about Parthenon Sculptures UNESCO mediation request http://t.co/4hlSwrXcYs
Dot1541 said,
10.16.14 at 8:00 pm
What will the UK do about the Parthenon Sculptures UNESCO mediation request http://t.co/86RaRbVi9w via @sharethis
@elginism good luck! ✨
Planet_Pedro said,
10.16.14 at 8:14 pm
@elginism @keeptalkingGR send an invoice for storage and conservation since 1810?
MsGalathea said,
10.16.14 at 10:46 pm
RT @elginism: Blog post: What will UK do about Parthenon Sculptures UNESCO mediation request http://t.co/4hlSwrXcYs
elginism said,
10.17.14 at 7:10 am
Andrew George MP quizzes UK culture ministry over lack of response to UNESCO mediation request for Parthenon Marbles http://t.co/yONu3ZvEdo
SteveGrieves said,
10.17.14 at 7:11 am
RT @elginism: Andrew George MP quizzes UK culture ministry over lack of response to UNESCO mediation request for Parthenon Marbles http://t…
acrobatonline said,
10.17.14 at 7:21 am
RT @elginism: Andrew George MP quizzes UK culture ministry over lack of response to UNESCO mediation request for Parthenon Marbles http://t…
Small4W said,
10.17.14 at 10:09 am
RT @elginism: Andrew George MP quizzes UK culture ministry over lack of response to UNESCO mediation request for Parthenon Marbles http://t…
E_tabby said,
10.17.14 at 11:13 am
RT @elginism: Andrew George MP quizzes UK culture ministry over lack of response to UNESCO mediation request for Parthenon Marbles http://t…
Selby Whittingham said,
10.17.14 at 12:41 pm
The Greeks are not going to get anywhere through UNESCO mediation anymore than through approaches to the BM. One must hope that Greece and Mrs Clooney take the matter to court. This will provide entertainment and fees for British lawyers. It was of course the British nation which acquired the works by Act of Parliament, and so it is Parliament which has to be persuaded or induced to return them. The Act stated that the Earl of Elgin agreed to sell the collection on conditions, that it be known as “The Elgin Marbles” and kept together at the BM and that future earls of Elgin should be Trustees of the British Museum. I don’t know how legally binding that was. But the earls are no longer trustees. And the BM Director, when at the NG, felt no obligation to honour Turner’s condition that his collection be kept together.
Marina Birdimiri said,
10.17.14 at 12:41 pm
Marina Birdimiri liked this on Facebook.
ChasingAphrodit said,
10.17.14 at 7:21 pm
RT @elginism: Andrew George MP quizzes UK culture ministry over lack of response to UNESCO mediation request for Parthenon Marbles http://t…
shovelingferret said,
10.17.14 at 7:22 pm
RT @elginism: Andrew George MP quizzes UK culture ministry over lack of response to UNESCO mediation request for Parthenon Marbles http://t…
Audaxinv said,
10.17.14 at 7:22 pm
RT @elginism: Andrew George MP quizzes UK culture ministry over lack of response to UNESCO mediation request for Parthenon Marbles http://t…
Annoula64 said,
10.17.14 at 10:43 pm
RT @elginism: Andrew George MP quizzes UK culture ministry over lack of response to UNESCO mediation request for Parthenon Marbles http://t…
rogueclassicist said,
10.19.14 at 12:15 pm
#clsblgs ~
What will the UK do about the Parthenon Sculptures UNESCO mediation request – Elginism
http://t.co/S7yAOoRbdD