23 February 2002
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.
Issued by the South African Embassy in Paris