International Public Inquiry: the looting of the Ethiopian church by the British Army

About this item

This document announces an International Public Inquiry held in 1996 at Lambeth Town Hall to investigate the looting of Ethiopian Church treasures by the British Army in 1868. The inquiry aimed to examine the origins, current location, and political responses to the looted Ethiopian heritage items. It engaged a wide range of participants including Ethiopian representatives, British institutions, and European bodies to discuss issues of cultural restitution and reparations.

Key points:
– The inquiry focused on artifacts taken from Ethiopia during the 1868 British military expedition, including religious items such as 9 Tabots and 350 manuscripts.
– These items are held across various British institutions like the British Library, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and Windsor Castle.
– The event invited Ethiopian government officials, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, British political parties, local councils, universities, and European representatives to provide evidence and opinions.
– The inquiry aimed to assess contemporary British and European political stances on the looted property and explore legal frameworks for restitution.
– Public participation was encouraged, with proceeds used to support further study in Ethiopia, reflecting ongoing international collaboration.

This inquiry reflects wider debates within Black British political history concerning the legacy of imperial looting and the demand for reparations. It connects to Bernie Grant’s commitment to anti-racism and international solidarity by highlighting the importance of acknowledging historical wrongs and addressing cultural restitution within British institutions. The event’s location in Lambeth, alongside community engagement, aligns with broader struggles for racial justice and recognition of colonial impacts in local government and political activism.

Source note: The OCR transcript contains some formatting inconsistencies and minor errors typical of scanned archival material, but the content is clear enough to provide an accurate summary of the inquiry’s purpose and scope.