Rejected petition Amend the Heritage Act 1983 to allow for the return of the Benin Bronzes

In conjunction with amendments to the British Museum Act 1963 (currently under petition/ petition renewed Oct-21), we implore the Government to amend the Acts to allow for the Trustees of the British Museum to approve restitution requests for the return of artefacts on a permanent basis.

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We want the necessary legislative changes made to enable the British Museum to approve the Nigerian government's request for the return of the Benin Bronzes, which were looted from the Benin Royal Palace during the military expedition to Benin City in 1897.

This petition was rejected

Why was this petition rejected?

There’s already a petition about this issue. We cannot accept a new petition when we already have one about a very similar issue.

You are more likely to get action on this issue if you sign and share a single petition.

The disposal of objects by the British Museum is governed by the British Museum Act 1962, not the National Heritage Act 1983, but you may wish to sign this petition calling for a similar action: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/582856

We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.

Date submitted 13 September 2021
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