New commission marks important progress, but broader, unified process is needed for just and fair solutions nationwide

New York, NY (May 5, 2026): The World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO) welcomes the establishment of a restitution commission in Flanders to address Nazi-looted art, an important step in increasing attention and activity in Belgium on this issue.

“Belgium’s recent steps reflect an important and overdue recognition of the need to address the legacy of Nazi-looted art,” said Gideon Taylor, President, World Jewish Restitution Organization (WJRO.) “The creation of a restitution commission in Flanders is a positive development and demonstrates growing momentum in this area.”

This renewed focus follows growing public awareness driven in part by investigative work such as Geert Sels’ research, as well as ongoing efforts by organizations including the Jewish Digital Cultural Recovery Project (JDCRP), founded by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) and WJRO to identify and help recover looted cultural property.

At the same time, WJRO emphasized that meaningful progress will require a comprehensive, national approach.

“A credible restitution process must extend beyond regional initiatives,” Taylor continued. “What is needed is a transparent, independent, and accessible framework that applies across all of Belgium – including Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels-Capital Region – and ensures that claims are addressed consistently and fairly.”

Belgium remains one of several countries without a unified national mechanism to resolve claims for Nazi-confiscated cultural property. Establishing such a framework would align Belgium with international best practices and strengthen its commitment to achieving just and fair solutions for victims and their families.

WJRO continues to work with governments, institutions, and stakeholders worldwide to advance the restitution of Holocaust-era property and to promote transparency, accountability, and justice in addressing these claims.‘Orpheus and the Animals’ by

_{Photo: Flanders-born painter Roelant Savery (1576 – 1639), KMSKA, origin under investigation following a request for restitution, credit: Wikimedia Commons}