THE NETHERLANDS The Ekkart Committee The Ekkart Committee supervises research into the provenance of the objects in the Netherlands Art property collection (NK collection) and makes recommendations to the Dutch government. The Ekkart Committee also monitors the methods and quality of the Herkomst Gezocht [Origins Unknown] agency’s research. A detailed summary of the recommendations and a link to the Ekkart Committee’s April 2001 Recommendations for the restitution of works of art may be found in English at http://www.herkomstgezocht.nl/eng/rapportage/content.html. Contact: R.E.O. Ekkart, Chairman Helen C. M. Marres-Schretlen, Secretary Ekkart Committee The Secretary Project Origins Unknown/Bureau Herkomst Gezocht Prins Willem Alexanderhof 20 NL-2595 DE The Hague, The Netherlands Telephone: +31 70 302 8120 Fax: +31 70 365 1914 E-mail: herkomstgezocht@minocw.nl Herkomst Gezocht Project [Origins Unknown Project] Upon the recommendation of the Ekkart Committee, the Origins Unknown project office was created in September 1998 to trace the original owners of the works of art held in the NK collection, which comprises state-owned artworks. The collection consists of 4,000 paintings, drawings, and other works repatriated to the Netherlands from Germany after 1945. The results of the provenance investigation will be published in a series of interim reports. The goal of the agency is to conclude the investigation into the provenance of the collection and to finish the historical research at the end of 2002. Links to the Origins Unknown reports (Interim Report I, Interim Report II, and Interim Report III) may be found in English at http://www.originsunknown.org/eng/index.html. The results may be researched in a database at http://www.originsunknown.org/eng/zoeken/index.html. Contact: Ch. E. van Rappard-Boon, Head of the Origins Unknown Project Ministry of Education, Culture and Science Inspectorate of Cultural Heritage Origins Unknown Prins Willem Alexanderhof 20 NL-2595 DE The Hague, The Netherlands Telephone: +31 70 302 8120 Fax: +31 70 365 1914 E-mail: Herkomstgezocht@cultuurbezit.nl http://www.herkomstgezocht.nl http://www.originsunknown.org Nederlands Kunstbezit-collectie [NK collection] The NK collection consists of the remaining works of art repatriated after World War II, particularly from Germany. This collection is in the State’s custody and is part of the Instituut Collectie Nederland (ICN), which is part of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The Origins Unknown Agency is currently investigating the provenance of many works in this collection. The searchable database of the NK collection may be found at http://www.herkomstgezocht.nl/eng/zoeken/index.html. Contact: Ministry of Education, Culture and Science Information department, Public Information department Europaweg 4 P.O. Box 25000 NL-2700 LZ Zoetermeer, The Netherlands Telephone: +31 79 323 3270 Fax: +31 79 323 2320 Ministry of Education, Culture and Science: http://www.minocw.nl NK collection: http://www.herkomstgezocht.nl/eng/nkcollectie/content.html The Supervisory Committee’s Investigation into WWII Financial Assets in the Netherlands (The Scholten Committee) The Scholten Committee investigated which entitlements to insurance and other assets might still have been wrongfully in the possession of banks, insurance companies, and the state. It presented its final report in December 1999 in The Hague. In addition to the committee’s findings, conclusions, and policy recommendations, the final report consists of scientific investigation into financial assets held by financial institutions. The final report of the Scholten Committee may be found in English at http://www.verzekeraars.org/download/tekstscholten.doc. The Kordes Committee (Liro Records Investigative Committee) Appointed in 1997, the Kordes Committee investigated the 1968 sale of Jewish valuables originating from Lippmann, Rosenthal & Co., Sarphatistraat (Liro) to employees of the Ministry of Finance and records relevant to the settlement of Jewish claims. The committee was guided by the instructions given to the Scholten Committee for investigating what happened to the financial assets of World War II victims that were held by banks and insurance companies in the Netherlands. The work of the Kordes Committee is closely related to that of the Scholten Committee. A detailed summary of the Kordes Committee’s work, findings, and recommendations may be found in English at http://212.206.208.170/ttw/doc/kordes.doc Contact: Ministry of Finance Mr. Chr. Ruppert P.O. Box 20201 NL-2500 EE The Hague, The Netherlands Telephone: +31 70 342 8000 Fax: +31 70 342 79 43 The Van Kemenade Committee This Van Kemenade Committee was responsible for monitoring investigations into World War II assets held in foreign banks, reporting on claims that could be made in the Netherlands upon such assets, and advising on possible systems of allocation. It presented its final report to the government on January 27, 2000. A detailed summary of its final report may be found in English at http://www.minfin.nl/default.asp? CMS_ITEM=MFCWDF98E7BBAB0FF43928AE257928FF5C76DX42X65484X2. The Ministry of Finance The Ministry of Finance maintains information regarding World War II assets and current legislation. The Ministry’s Web site contains a link to major Dutch and foreign reports on World War II financial assets. The Ministry of Finance Assets page may be found in English at http://www.minfin.nl/default.asp? CMS_ITEM=MFCR3713315D0708211D5BFFF00104B3FBE32. The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport maintains information on its Web site regarding Holocaust-era assets in the Netherlands. http://www.minvws.nl/en/folders/vvb/world_war_ii_and_the_aftermath_in_the_netherlands.asp Nederlands Instituut voor Oorlogsdocumentatie [Netherlands Institute for War Documentation] The Netherlands Institute for War Documentation was established shortly after the liberation of the Netherlands on May 8, 1945. Since its founding, the Institute has housed the archives of the Resistance as well as illegal newspapers and pamphlets, posters and photographs, and books and articles. The Institute is charged with collecting and storing archives on World War II and the Netherlands and making them accessible and available, conducting academic research and publishing the research findings, and providing information to government institutions and private persons. Contact: David Barnouw, Information Officer Herengracht 380 1016 CJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands Telephone: +31 20 523 3800 Fax: +31 20 523 3888 E-mail: info@oorlogsdoc.knaw.nl http://www.oorlogsdoc.knaw.nl Centraal Joods Overleg [Central Jewish Consultative Committee] Centraal Joods Overleg (CJO) is an umbrella organization comprising six major Dutch-Jewish institutions that was established in 1997 to represent the interests of the Jewish community to outside parties. During the first years of its existence, the organization focused on the restitution of Dutch-Jewish assets appropriated during World War II, which led to agreements with Dutch insurers (1999), the Dutch government (2000), and Dutch banks and the stock exchange (2000). A total of 764.12 million guilders (346.74 million Euros) were repaid. In the past two years, CJO cofounded several foundations that distribute this money, such as the Stichting Sjoa for insurance claims, the Sie Sjoa for stock and other individual claims, the Joods Humanitair Fond for foreign humanitarian projects, and the Maror Fund. The main part of the funding has been divided among individual Jewish war survivors and their heirs. Other portions are designated for individual and legal claims as well as for collective Dutch Jewish purposes and humanitarian projects outside Holland. Contact: Hans van de Lagemaat, Project Office of Looting and Restitution of the CJO Projectbureau Roof & Restitutie P.O. Box 11646 2502 The Hague, The Netherlands Telephone: +31 70 363 1965 Fax: +31 70 365 3372 E-mail: cjo@cjo.nl http://www.cjo.nl Dutch Association of Insurers In 1999 the Dutch Association of Insurers (DAI) signed an agreement with the Central Jewish Consultative Committee (CJO) on life insurance policies of Jews persecuted during World War II. The insurers agreed to make 45 million guilders available for this agreement, of which 20 million guilders were intended for individual payments to parties entitled to it under the policies and 25 million guilders were intended for causes determined by the Jewish community. The agreement between the DAI and the CJO resulted in the creation of a new foundation, the Stichting Individuele Verzekeringsaanspraken Sjoa, to handle individual insurance claims. The DAI’s Web site contains a page entitled “Insurance and WWII” with numerous reports and relevant information. The DAI is a member of the International Commission on Holocaust-Era Insurance Claims (ICHEIC). http://www.verzekeraars.org Stichting Individuele Verzekeringsaanspraken Sjoa [The Shoah Foundation for Individual Insurance Claims] The Shoah Foundation, founded on November 9, 1999, was established to address any oversights in the original Dutch plan for full restoration of life insurance benefits, including provision for industrial life insurance. The foundation is housed in the Dutch Association of Insurers’ headquarters and has access to its archives and facilities. By the end of November 2001, the foundation had already received 6,300 applications from 1,500 applicants. It had paid 385,625.05 euros (NLG 849,805.80) to 193 entitled parties under 89 policies. All payments on insurance claims through the foundation are tax-exempt. Contact: Henk van der Well, Project Manager Bordewijklaan 4 P.O. Box 91475 2509 EB, The Hague, The Netherlands Fax: +31 70 333 8846 E-mail: info@stichting-sjoa.nl http://www.stichting-sjoa.nl Stichting Individuele Effectenaanspraken Sjoa [Foundation for Individual Securities Claims Shoah] The Central Jewish Consultative Committee (CJO) in the Netherlands and the Israel Platform of formal Dutchmen in Israel established a foundation to reimburse three kinds of war claims: (1) damages suffered by Jews as a result of the settlement by the Waarborgfonds Rechtsherstel in 1953 for the restitution of securities stolen during World War II; (2) part of the commissions that the Puttkammer charged for issuing sperren (stays of deportation) to Jews; and (3) amounts that banks charged Jews for breaking open their safe-deposit boxes during the war. The foundation arises from the agreement that the CJO and the Israel Platform reached with the Netherlands Bankers’ Association, the Amsterdam Stock Exchange Association, and the Amsterdam Exchanges N.V. A Shoah Foundation for individual insurance claims has already been created and a Shoah Foundation for bank claims is in the process of being created. Contact: Rob Meijer, Esq., Chairman Foundation for Individual Securities Claims Shoah P.O. Box 94200 1090 GE Amsterdam, The Netherlands http://www.sie-sjoa.nl Commission of Dutch Museums: Guideline on Museum Acquisitions 1940—1948 In line with a protocol drawn up by the American Association of Art Museum Directors, the Committee on Museum Acquisitions published a guideline in 1999 to help Dutch museums deal with works of art of dubious origin, particularly objects that changed hands or were acquired during or immediately after World War II. The guideline advises on what position museums should take, not only on objects that already form part of their collections, but also on future acquisitions and loans, from both Dutch and foreign sources. The guideline stipulates that museums have an obligation to investigate the provenance of all the objects they own, especially those objects that changed hands or were acquired between 1940 and 1948, to ensure that they were legally acquired and not plundered from victims of the Nazi regime. The guideline may be found in English at http://www.museumvereniging.nl/engels/nmv/publications/guideline.html. Contact: Cultural Heritage Inspectorate Prinsessegracht 31 2514 ap The Hague, The Netherlands Telephone: +31 70 302 8120 Fax: + 31 70 365 1914 E-mail: insp@cultinsp.minocw.nl Pensioen- en Uitkeringsraad [Pension and Benefit Board] Since 1990, the Pension and Benefit Board has been responsible for the implementation of legislation applying to war victims. Some 50,000 people currently receive benefit or pension payments under the legislation in question (listed separately below). The Pension and Benefit Board is responsible for the application and administration of Dutch laws and regulations that offer financial support to victims of World War II and their next of kin. Contact: P.O. Box 9575 2300 RB Leiden, The Netherlands Telephone: +31 71 356 500 Fax: +31 71 356 840 http://www.pur.nl De Wet Uitkeringen Vevolgingsslachtoffers 1940—1945 [The Benefits Act for Victims of Persecution 1940—1945] This legislation, guaranteeing an income that enables the victims of wartime persecution to continue to live, within reasonable limits, at the level to which they were accustomed before being affected by the consequences of persecution, was established in 1973. The World War II Victims Department (WUV Department) continues making payments to victims of persecution in the Netherlands and Dutch East Indies who live abroad. As of January 1, 2002, 25,664 people received pensions and benefits within the framework of this act. The World War II Victims Department of the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Los Angeles is responsible for the implementation of the Act in the United States. Inquiries within the Netherlands should be addressed to the Pension and Benefit Board. Contact: Consulate General of the Netherlands WUV Department 11766 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1150 Los Angeles, CA 90025 USA Telephone: +1 310 268 6169 Fax: +1 310 478 3428 E-mail: los-wuv@minbuza.nl http://www.netherlands-embassy.org/article.asp?articleref=AR00000391EN http://www.pur.nl (within the Netherlands) De Wet Uitkeringen Burger-oorlogsslachtoffers 1940—1945 [The Benefit Act for Civilian War Victims 1940—1945] The Benefit Act for Civilian War Victims 1940—1945 (WUBO)] awards benefits to the next of kin of civilians who sustained permanent injuries during the German or Japanese occupations caused by bombardments; shootings; evacuations; incarceration in prisons, penal camps, or camps for internees; forced employment; going into hiding; maltreatment and the like. http://www.netherlands-embassy.org/article.asp?articleref=AR00000391EN De Wet Buitengewoon Pensioen 1940—1945 [The Extraordinary Pension Act 1940—1945] The Extraordinary Pension Act 1940—1945 (WBP) applies to everyone, including non-Dutch nationals, who participated by deed or attitude in the Dutch resistance against the German occupier. A pension can be granted when the participation in the resistance led to permanent mental or physical damage of health. An extraordinary pension is also possible for Dutch nationals who participated in the resistance elsewhere in Europe, who were imprisoned as hostages in Europe, who became victims of the resistance of others, who became victims due to their anti-Nazi activities in or from the Netherlands, or who, prior to May 10, 1940, as an escapee to England, delivered (or had the intent to deliver) a personal contribution to the warfare. http://www.netherlands-embassy.org/article.asp?articleref=AR00000391EN Maror Fund The Dutch-Jewish Maror organization was established at the initiative of the Dutch-Jewish community and in conjunction with the Dutch government. Upon identifying deficiencies in the post–World War II restoration of justice, the Dutch-Jewish community arranged payment regulations with the government and insurers, banks, and the stock exchange. The government allocated 400 million Dutch guilders for payment to the Jewish community, and the financial institutions returned 364 million Dutch guilders. The Maror organization was established on December 1, 2000, to distribute the funds to individuals. The deadline to submit a claim to Maror passed on January 1, 2002, but information regarding individual payments will remain available on the Web site until further notice for applicants who have not yet received a decision. Contact: The Maror Fund Desk P.O. Box 19008 2500 CA The Hague, The Netherlands Telephone: +800 62767 123 (toll free) +31 70 33 82 334 Fax: + 31 70 33 82 456 E-mail: helpdesk@joodsetegoeden.nl http://www.joodsetegoeden.nl Joods Humanitair Fonds [Dutch Jewish Humanitarian Fund] As part of the restitution of Jewish assets from World War II, the Dutch Jewish Humanitarian Fund is being created to support humanitarian projects outside the Netherlands. http://www.jhf.nl Conferences The Netherlands participated in the London Conference on Nazi Gold. The Netherlands participated in the Washington Conference on Holocaust-Era Assets. Proceedings of the Washington Conference may be found at http://www.state.gov/www/regions/eur/holocaust/heac.html. The Netherlands participated in the Vilnius International Forum on Holocaust Era Looted Cultural Assets. Proceedings of the Vilnius Forum may be found at http://www.vilniusforum.lt/proceedings/index.htm.