Osnabrück is progressing: arbitration tribunal for return of NS robbery

Osnabrück is progressing: arbitration tribunal for return of NS robbery

Osnabrück, Deutschland - In Osnabrück, a striking step is taken in dealing with the National Socialist past. On July 1, 2025, the city council unanimously decided to take part in a new, official arbitration tribunal to return the cultural asset stunned during the Nazi era. The city thus shows a strong commitment to responsible for the victims of National Socialism. This is reported by the Hasepost .

Osnabrück is one of the first cities in Germany that will follow the administrative agreement between the federal, state and local umbrella organizations in March 2025. With the establishment of the arbitral tribunal, a neutral instance arises that will decide on disputes to return stolen works of art and cultural assets. The previously existing "advisory commission NS robbery" only made recommendations that were not legally binding.

new ways to restitution

This reform is in line with the Washington principles of 1998 and the joint explanation of 1999, which concern the return of Nazi persecution due to cultural assets. According to of the Minister of Culture , many people were robbed during the National Socialist tyranny. The Jewish fellow citizens in particular suffered from this state -organized cultural trait. Those affected often had to sell their property under value or leave it behind on the run.

review and evaluation

The city of Osnabrück undertakes to want to accept the judgments of the new arbitration tribute in return cases. After ten arbitration sayings or in three years at the latest, the procedure will be evaluated. It is to ensure that the rights of the victims are strengthened and valuable cultural assets can be returned to the rightful owners, as can be seen from the explanations of Kulturgutluste.de

In addition, public cultural institutions are also called to check their stocks for Nazi robbery. Unclear employment processes should be disclosed to support the return of the works believed to be lost. The federal government and the federal states are doing everything they can to advance the topic.

Osnabrück laid the foundation for an important dialogue with its decision. The return of Nazi robbery is not only a question of law, but also moral responsibility. A good way to involve the injured and their relatives in the narrative of the city history and to preserve the memory.