Press release

Bern, 16 March 2026

First meeting of the Commission for Historically Problematic Cultural Heritage

The Commission for Historically Problematic Cultural Heritage held its inaugural meeting on 13 March 2026. The ten-person committee is thus now operational and will address issues relating to historically problematic cultural heritage in the National Socialist and colonial context.

It was an historic moment. On 13 March 2026, the ten-person Commission for Historically Problematic Cultural Heritage set up by the Federal Council at the end of January had its first, foundational meeting.

As a result, Switzerland, almost 28 years after signing the Washington Principles, has its own commission to address historically problematic cultural heritage. Moreover, its remit is not restricted to the Nazi context; it will also deal with cultural items in the colonial context. That makes it the first commission to cover both areas. Expectations of the commission are commensurately high – something it is aware of. So, following some introductory exchanges the members quickly progressed to initial discussions on the commission’s work going forward.

There is already a draft version of the regulations governing the commission’s operations and it is set to be approved at the next meeting. The commission also focused on its three statutory roles.

It has a mediating role in providing general advice to the Confederation on how to proceed with historically problematic cultural heritage. Dealing with past injustice is a societal duty, which can only happen with the involvement of the people and affected parties. The commission will define, as part of a work planning exercise, the preparatory work it wants to undertake to ensure adequate outreach in the area of problematic cultural heritage.

An initial exchange with the Administration is already being planned to discuss the commission’s advice regarding cultural goods owned by the Confederation.

The commission aims to be in a position to respond to the first requests for dealing with specific cases as soon as possible. It first has to settle the procedural issues. The commission has therefore started work on establishing regulations and it will communicate when it is ready to start receiving requests.

“The past is never dead. It’s not even past”, said the president in her opening speech quoting American author William Faulkner.

A quote that could hardly be more fitting for the commission’s work. The commission will not only address the past. Its work very much relates to the present and has an impact on the future. That is a big and important task. The members are looking forward to assuming this responsibility together.