Imbroglio, Flawed Procedure or a State Scandal? : Untangling the Complexities of the 2020 Restitution of Human Remains from France to Algeria

Sammanfattning: In July 2020 France returned 24 human remains to Algeria, designating it as a ‘loan’ renewable every five years. These human remains, identified as skulls, by some considered as “war trophies”, were believed to belong to Algerian soldiers and tribal chiefs who fought against the French army’s invasion in the early 19th century. They are today buried in the Carré des Martyrs in Algiers, alongside other prominent figures from Algerian independence and politics. However, a New York Times investigation revealed in October 2022, that only 6 out of the 24 skulls had been clearly identified as belonging to resistance soldiers, while the rest were either of uncertain provenance or imprisoned thieves, and three were of soldiers of Algerian origin who had fought in the ranks of the French Army.  This thesis explores the intricate details, perspectives and interpretations that led to this contentious restitution. It argues that, while few people theoretically opposed the restitution, numerous complicated factors made the restitution multilayered and complex, and culminated in the oxymoronic notion of a permanent ‘loan’. The thesis analyses the various reasons behind the conclusions presented by The New York Times article. Three major groups significantly influenced the outcome of restitution: civil society, museums, and governments. The central argument revolves around the general taboo that has long existed regarding the crimes committed in the former French colonies, the reluctance of museums and the Ministry of Culture to accept restitutions, and the political exploitation of restitutions of cultural property and human remains for diplomatic, nationalistic and economic purposes.