According to a statement from the Dutch government received here, Minister of Education, Culture and Science Gouke Moes approved the return after receiving advice from the independent Colonial Collections Committee.
"The Committee’s advice is based on extensive and thorough research. We will apply the same level of thoroughness in working with Naturalis and our Indonesian partners to ensure the transfer proceeds smoothly," Minister Moes stated.
As he approved the return, per request from the Indonesian authorities, he confirmed that a letter to notify the decision has been presented to Indonesia's Culture Minister Fadli Zon.
Moes highlighted the collection as a valuable resource that contributes to the scientific understanding of human evolutionary history.
"Indonesia and the Netherlands believe it is important for the collection to remain a source of scientific research," the minister added.
According to the statement, the fossils were excavated in Indonesia by Dutch anatomist and geologist Eugene Dubois in the late 19th century. Notable items in the collection include a skull cap, a molar, and a femur attributed to a Homo erectus, an early human species considered a link between apes and humans.
However, research conducted by the Colonial Collections Committee concluded that the circumstances under which the fossils were obtained mean it is likely they were removed against the will of the people, resulting in an act of injustice against them.
The independent body also concluded that the Dutch state never owned the Dubois collection.
Hence, the Colonial Collections Committee recommended that the Dubois collection "be returned to Indonesia unconditionally".
Meanwhile, Director General of Naturalis Marcel Beukeboom is optimistic that the research collaboration with Indonesian partners will continue with "undiminished enthusiasm" after the return of the fossils to Indonesia.
The Naturalis Biodiversity Center and Indonesian researchers have also maintained a longstanding partnership focused on the study of the Dubois collection.
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Translator: Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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