27 Illegally-Exported Khmer Cultural Objects Repatriated To Cambodia

Phnom Penh : Twenty-seven (27) Khmer cultural objects that have been seized by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office and the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, were repatriated to Cambodia on June 15, 2022.

The repatriation was made under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Government of the United States of America concerning the Imposition of Import Restriction on Categories of Archaeological Material of Cambodia and under an agreement between the Royal Government of Cambodia with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, said a news release of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts AKP received this evening.

Among these Khmer cultural treasures, there are several important Buddhist and Hindu statues, such as a bronze meditating Buddha on a Naga and sandstone statues of Shiva and Prajnaparamita, it pointed out.
The 27 statues have been placed at the Phnom Penh National Museum for experts to evaluate, clean, repair and install the necessary pedestals in preparation for an official handover ceremony at an appropriate time to be announced by the Royal Government, it added.
“These Khmer cultural objects are the souls of generations of Khmer ancestors and represent Cambodia’s awe-inspiring past, which have departed from their motherland over a number of years during a period of war and turmoil. Owing to the win-win policy of the Royal Government under the wise leadership of Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia that has brought peace to Cambodia, we now have the ability to rediscover and to welcome home our cultural heritage,” said H.E. Dr. Phoeurng Sackona, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts.
On behalf of the Royal Goverment of Cambodia, the minister extended her gratitude and praise for the cooperation and great efforts provided by relevant U.S. institutions, in particular, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia, as well as Cambodian ministries and institutions, and the team of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, including Mr. Bradley J. Gordon of Edenbridge Asia and Mr. Steven Heimberg of Heimberg Barr LLP which have assisted in bringing these treasures back to Cambodia.

As part of a global call for action, H.E. Minister has also urged museums and private collectors around the world to cooperate and to return Cambodian stolen treasures to the country of origin, Cambodia. by AKP