PARIS, April 17 (Xinhua) -- The adoption of a draft law by the French National Assembly on Monday to facilitate the restitution of artworks and artifacts spoliated by France in history has sent a positive signal in the right direction, said UNESCO expert Matthieu Quiniou in a recent interview with Xinhua.
The French National Assembly passed the draft law with 170 votes in favor and none against on Monday. Those covered in the bill are artworks and artifacts "illicitly acquired" between 1815 and 1972 through theft, looting, transfers or gifts obtained by force, violence, or from someone without the right to dispose of it.
The bill, aiming to simplify the procedures of restitution in France, will now be examined by a joint committee to harmonize the position between senators and deputies.
Quiniou, co-director of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair of Digital Innovation in Transmission and Publishing, said he was pleased to learn the draft law was adopted unanimously, noting that it echoes previous discussions surrounding France's colonial history.
Quiniou said the bill will standardize the procedures of restitution and makes the criteria clearer. The bill provides that restitution applies to cultural property of which there is clear evidence, or serious and consistent indications of unlawful appropriation.
It also stipulates that requests must be examined by a joint scientific committee set up with the requesting state, with equal representation from both sides, to assess whether the criteria of restitution are met.
He also noted that it could open perspectives for the restitution of Chinese cultural relics, as "certain museums hold Chinese cultural property that does not result from donations".
"China has full legitimacy to request the restitution of certain cultural property through this bill," he added.
During Monday's debate in the National Assembly, French lawmaker Jeremie Patrier-Leitus voiced support for the draft law, referring to writer Victor Hugo's vision regarding the return of artifacts looted from China's Old Summer Palace in 1860.
Meanwhile, Quiniou stressed that "there are also risks during restitution," calling for protection of highly valuable cultural objects during transportation.
For countries capable of assisting with transport conditions and provenance identification, the process could be facilitated, he said, adding that "China has done enormous work in this area," with precise documentation of where and under what circumstances cultural objects were taken or transferred. ■