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Telegraph
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Don't return Benin Bronzes, says former anti-racism tsar
The Benin Bronzes should not be sent back to Africa, Britain's former anti-racism tsar has said. Sir Trevor Phillips, who previously led the Commission for Racial Equality, said the case for returning the treasures looted by British forces more than 125 years ago was 'weak' because of their complex history. The Nigerian government has repeatedly demanded the return of the artefacts that were scattered to museums across the world after being taken in a raid on the ancient Kingdom of Benin, located in modern-day Nigeria, in 1897. The British Museum has come under mounting pressure to hand over its own collection after several UK and European institutions, including both the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, sought to return theirs. But Sir Trevor, who led the anti-racism commission from 2003 until its abolition in 2006, warned the issue was more complex than 'a simple matter of right and wrong'. Sir Trevor is the co-author of a report from the Policy Exchange think tank urging museums not to rush into restitution deals for moral reasons pushed by political campaigners. The paper says returning items to their countries of origin has often been presented as a way for institutions to 'right the wrongs of the past'. But it warns that claims actually 'vary greatly in legitimacy', with their merits 'highly disputed on historical, philosophical and political grounds'. Materials from slave trade Sir Trevor, a veteran broadcaster and former Labour Party member, said: 'Take the case of the Benin Bronzes, taken to Britain in the late 19th century following a punitive expedition. 'And yet, the people of Benin obtained the brass for many of these artefacts by trading with Portuguese merchants in exchange for chattel slaves. 'And are more people who have a meaningful connection to the Bronzes – including the global West African diaspora – more likely to have the opportunity to see the Bronzes in British museums, or in the Oba of Benin 's [the traditional leader of the Edo people who were Benin's dominant group] private collection? 'The case for returning them is weak. Yet in other cases, such as religious artefacts still venerated by the indigenous community who created them, the case for return may be much stronger.' The Policy Exchange paper, published on Sunday, claims too many decisions on handing over precious artefacts are being taken without proper consultation, while some museums use long-term loans as a form of restitution by the back door. It also raises concerns about a so-called 'loophole' in charity law, which could allow the Elgin Marbles to be handed back to Greece. The British Museum and other major institutions are barred by law from giving away the contents of their collections. But clauses in the Charities Act 2022 had the unintended effect of allowing museums to dispose of artefacts if there was a 'moral obligation' for doing so. Tory ministers failed to fully close this loophole before last year's general election, and the Labour Government could exploit these clauses to allow the return of the Elgin Marbles to Athens. Museums 'speak to all humanity' Sir Trevor said: 'Recent years have seen an increasing call for British museums to return artefacts taken from other countries, often under circumstances of disputed legality. 'For some, this is a simple matter of right and wrong. Yet the truth is rarely as simple. Times change, cultures evolve, people migrate – and, over the centuries, artefacts gain meaning and connection to many people beyond those now living in the land from which they first emerged. 'Our best museums and collections aim to speak to all of humanity, educating and informing, not to any single nationality, race or creed. 'As with statues or buildings named after individuals whose legacy is being re-evaluated, in too many cases we have seen decisions taken rapidly or without due process, or where only a partisan and non-representative set of stakeholders has been consulted. 'In many cases the outcome has been to prolong conflict, in others to delay implementation, and in still others to create a fresh movement for the reversal of decisions.' He added: 'We must deal with the world as it is, not as we would like it to be.' The Policy Exchange report sets out a new framework for museum stewards to follow when dealing with restitution claims, featuring eight key principles. These include considering the 'relative significance' of the object to the place where it is being held, as well as the group making the claim, and the world at large.
The Guardian
30-01-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Vallabh Kaviraj obituary
My father, Vallabh Kaviraj, who has died aged 92, was a pioneering journalist and founder of the Asian Express, one of the first Asian newspapers in English, in 1973. Vallabh was dedicated to serving the growing community in Britain by giving a voice to this marginalised group. From the early 1970s he worked hard, publishing his newspaper seven days a week, raising awareness about equality. He was also heavily involved with the Commission for Racial Equality. Even when his printing press in east London was firebombed and subjected to repeated racist attacks from rightwing gangs in the 70s, he remained steadfast in his efforts. The Asian Express, which began in print, moved online in 1999. Vallabh was born in Bilimora, in India, the son of Bhagwan and Bekhi, who ran their own business trading in building materials. He moved in 1956 to the UK, where he took up business studies at the University of London. In 1969, during a visit to Mumbai, he married Maniben, a teacher, who supported Vallabh as he launched his publishing endeavour – Adarsh Printing Press – while raising two daughters – my sister, Chandrika, and me. In the early 70s the first issues of the Asian Express broadsheet were produced using metal blocks and an old printing press. Vallabh demonstrated a selfless commitment to serving the Asian community in the UK above all else. He was always the first to ask questions at press conferences, seeking answers about uncomfortable issues that would otherwise be swept aside. He supported the Commonwealth Institute and India House and firmly believed in collaboration to address problems of social inequality and injustice. He gained respect, recognition and admiration from other Asian publishers, many of whom followed in his footsteps by establishing their own newspapers. In 2019 he was awarded the British Empire Medal for his contribution to South Asian media in Britain. Vallabh cared for Maniben, a stroke survivor, until her death last year. He is survived by Chandrika and me.
