BEST PRACTICES FOR THE WASHINGTON CONFERENCE PRINCIPLES ON NAZI-CONFISCATED ART

1998 Washington Conference Principles/ Holocaust-Era Looted Cultural Property: Report/Best Practices

The World Jewish Restitution Organization and the U.S. State Department convened a special event on March 5, 2024 at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Washington Conference Principles.

The Best Practices for the Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art, endorsed by 27 countries so far, were unveiled at the event. WJRO and members of the Special Envoys Network on Holocaust Issues played an active role in developing this document, which clarifies and improves the practical implementation of the 1998 Washington Conference Principles. The Best Practices also share lessons learned since the 1998 Washington Principles were endorsed and are a tool to help resolve remaining issues surrounding art and cultural items wrongfully seized during the Holocaust.

At the March 5 event, WJRO and the Claims Conference also released a joint report on the current status of art and cultural property restitution, titled: “Holocaust-Era Looted Cultural Property: A Current Worldwide Overview”. The groundbreaking report summarizes and analyzes the extent to which each of 47 countries [that endorsed the 2009 Terezin Declaration, which incorporated the Principles] has followed the 1998 Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art.

RELEVANT MATERIALS

Best Practices for the Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art

WJRO and Claims Conference Report: Holocaust-Era Looted Cultural Property: A Current Worldwide Overview

Executive Summary: WJRO and Claims Conference Report: Holocaust-Era Looted Cultural Property: A Current Worldwide Overview

Video of March 5 Conference: 25th Anniversary of the Washington Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art: Best Practices & The Way Forward

Highlight Video of March 5 Conference: 25th Anniversary of the Washington Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art: Best Practices & the Way Forward

Video of Looted Holocaust Art and Cultural Property: Stories of Restitution and Unresolved Loss

Video Remarks: U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken

1998 Washington Conference Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art

Press Release: Global Report on Implementation of Art Restitution over Past 25 Years Finds Significant Progress but Many Countries Still Lagging

Remarks, Gideon Taylor, President, WJRO: Conference: 25th Anniversary of the Washington Principles on Nazi-Confiscated Art: Best Practices & The Way Forward Event, March 5, 2024