Provenienzforschung - NS-Raubgut in der SLUB

On December 3rd 1998, in reaction to the Washington Conference on Holocaust-Era Assets, the Federal Republic of Germany passed the so-called "Principles with Respect to Nazi-Confiscated Art" ("Washington Principles"). More than 40 countries have signed this joint declaration of intent, also called the Washingtoner Erklärung.

The joint declaration, "Erklärung der Bundesregierung, der Länder und der kommunalen Spitzenverbände zur Auffindung und zur Rückgabe NS-verfolgungsbedingt entzogenen Kulturgutes, insbesondere aus jüdischem Besitz" (Statement of the German Federal Government, the States and the National Associations of Local Authorities regarding efforts to locate and return Nazi-Confiscated Art, especially with respect to Jewish property), adopted on December 14th 1999, calls upon German museums, archives and libraries to search their holdings for "Nazi loot", to publicly document the cases, and to restitute the seized cultural property.

With the Theresienstädter Erklärung ("Terezin Declaration") of 2009, the countries involved reconfirmed their dedication to continue the restitution efforts.