Petition · past parliament

British Government to ask British Museum to return the Elgin Marbles

Rejected 20 signatures

What the petition asks

Elgin Marbles are part of the surviving sculptures of the Parthenon in Greece , as well as sculptures from the Propylaea and Erechtheum.The Marbles were transported by sea to Britain. Lord Byron described the act of removal as actions of vandalism or looting.The marbles should be returned.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

The repatriation of an item from the collection of the British Museum is a matter for the Trustees of the British Museum, not the UK Government or Parliament.

Timeline

2 Oct 2017 Petition opened for signatures
6 Oct 2017 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 20
Status Rejected
Rejected 6 Oct 2017

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.