Germany must introduce a law specifically aimed at facilitating the return of Nazi-looted art, the head of the World Jewish Congress said Thursday after meeting with top German officials.
WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said there were still thousands of priceless artworks in the hands of individuals and museums that were stolen from Jews under the Third Reich and said the country was not legally equipped to handle such cases.
“One of the main reasons that these problems still exist is that there is no law in Germany that addresses the restitution of looted art,” he said at a museum documenting the Nazi terror.
He noted that Germany had already negotiated compensation on “the difficult issues of slave labour, stolen bank deposits and insurance policies”.
“I encourage Germany to deal with Nazi-looted art in the same comprehensive manner,” he said, calling the works “the last prisoners of World War II”.
Lauder said he pressed this point in talks with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Justice Minister Heiko Maas.