RETURN THE PARTHENON MARBLES
The dispute over the Parthenon Marbles, called by some the Elgin Marbles because it was Lord Elgin who originally obtained them from the Parthenon in the early 1800s, rages on. There are arguments for and against but, to me, the biggest argument is that the Greek people believe they were 'stolen' from them and crave their return. There is no doubt that the Greek people did not agree for the marbles to be shipped to Britain. If they were obtained legally the legal permission was given by an occupying force, the Ottomans.
Query how we would feel if we had lost the second world war and the occupying force removed Nelson's column or Marble Arch and they were now standing in a square in another country? We would want them back!
Much is said about reparations for our colonial past. Although we didn't occupy Greece we obtained the Marbles from a colonial power that was occupying Greece. Let us make a reparation to the Greek people and return the Marbles.
It may not be a life and death issue for us, but a small amount of government time spent on ensuring the Marbles' return would bring us immense gratitude from the Greek Nation and would prove we are a magnanimous people.
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What can you do to help? Lobby your local Member of Parliament. Click the MARBLES button above to find out how.
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Click the MARBLES button above for more information.
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