University of Freiburg Returns Colonial-Era Human Remains to Marshall Islands
The University of Freiburg has returned four human remains to the Marshall Islands, marking a significant step towards addressing the legacy of colonialism and racism. The remains, part of the Alexander Ecker collection, were originally taken from the Jaluit Atoll and used to support racist theories.
The return of these remains is seen as both an ethical obligation and a contribution to historical justice by the university. It is an important act of responsibility towards the communities of origin. The remains were originally brought to Germany via colonial networks or private collectors.
The processing of the entire Freiburg collection is expected to lead to the return of more human remains in the long term. This ongoing project is funded equally by the state and the university. While a previous research project led by Dr. Christoph Balzar did not focus on the origin of these skulls, a new project under his leadership is currently investigating the origins of hundreds of skulls from colonial violence contexts.
Rector Ulrich R. Krieglstein expressed respect for the people whose remains have returned to their homeland, stating, 'We bow to the people whose remains return to their homeland today.' The university's actions reflect a commitment to acknowledging and addressing the past, and a dedication to ensuring that such remains find their way back to their rightful resting places.
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