(New York, NY February 1, 2026):  Gideon Taylor, President, World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO), issued the following statement:

“WJRO welcomes the appointment of Simonetta Sommaruga as President of Switzerland’s new commission to address cultural heritage with historically problematic origins. This is a significant milestone, as it marks the first such commission in a country that remained neutral during WWII. It is an important acknowledgment of Switzerland’s responsibility to confront unresolved questions surrounding Nazi-confiscated and other looted art and cultural objects.

At the same time, we urge Switzerland to ensure that this new body is accessible to claimants, operates with transparency, and is empowered to play a meaningful role in achieving just and fair solutions. Experience across Europe has shown that commissions are most effective when their work is timely, victim-centered, and accompanied by a clear commitment from governments, museums, and private holders to engage seriously with their findings. We believe that it is critical that the new Commission apply the guidelines set forth in the 2024 Best Practices for the Washington Conference Principles endorsed by Switzerland and 34 other countries.

WJRO looks forward to constructive dialogue with President Sommaruga, the Swiss authorities, and the art community to ensure that this commission fulfills its promise and contributes to real progress in resolving long-standing restitution claims.”

Background

The Commission for Historically Problematic Cultural Heritage (Unabhängige Kommission für historisch belastetes Kulturerbe) was established in 2024 to provide an alternative dispute-resolution forum for contested cultural property. On January 28, 2026, the Federal Council appointed the commission’s presidency and members, naming former Federal Councilor Simonetta Sommaruga as president. The commission’s formal start date is set for March 1, 2026, with an initial period to establish working tools and procedures.

The commission will act as an independent expert body to advise the Federal Council and Federal Administration, issuing non-binding recommendations on specific cultural items in response to requests from third parties. Its work is grounded in the principles of achieving just and fair solutions, referencing the 1998 Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art, the Terezín Declaration, and the 2024 Best Practices for the Washington Conference Principles – the latter of which Switzerland has endorsed and which provides a framework for addressing complex cases, including flight goods.

Under the auspices of Switzerland’s Federal Office of Culture, the commission includes experts from a range of disciplines, including history, provenance research, law, ethics, and museum practice.

WJRO has long emphasized that commissions can play a vital role in resolving Holocaust-era cultural property claims when they are sufficiently empowered, transparent, and responsive to claimants. As the commission begins its work this March, WJRO encourages the development of clear procedures, reasonable timelines, and meaningful engagement with heirs and families seeking the return of looted cultural property. 

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