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French Parliament Adopts Legislation
on Repatriation of Saartjie Baartman
The French National Assembly voted unanimously Thursday,
21 February 2002, to repatriate the remains of Saartjie
Baartman to South Africa. The parliamentary session
was attended by Deputy Minister BS Mabandla, and South
African Ambassador to France, Thuthukile E Skweyiya.
In introducing the debate, the Minister of Research,
Mr Roger-Gerard Schwartzenberg, recognised the colonialist
and sexist mistreatment Saartjie Baartman had suffered.
Several speakers spoke out strongly and compassionately
about the wrongs against Saartjie Baartman, and supported
the repatriation.
When the legislation was adopted by the Deputy Minister
said she appreciated the French Parliament affirming
the principles of human dignity and equality. The decision
also enables the French people to acknowledge their
past and the reaffirm their own commitment to human
rights.
Before the parliamentary session, Deputy Minister Mabandla,
accompanied by Ambassador Skweyiya, visited the Laboratory
of Anthropological Biology in the National Museum of
National History, where the remains of Saartjie Baartman
are kept. The Deputy Minister viewed the remains, and
was moved by the experience.
The Deputy Minister also had a discussion with the
President of the museum, Mr B Chevassus-au-Louis.
In terms of the legislation adopted last night, the
remains of Saartjie Baartman will be returned to South
Africa within two months. According to the Deputy Minister
Mabandla, South Africa is ready to receive the remains
of Saartjie Baartman.
The remains will be handed over to the South African
Government in a ceremony, which will take place in the
South African Embassy in Paris.
For further information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082
990 4853.
Issued by the South African Embassy in Paris
22 February 2002
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