With thanks to Lyndon....

http://www.number-10.gov.uk
PRIME MINISTERIAL JOINT STATEMENT ON ABORIGINAL REMAINS

The Australian and British governments agree to increase efforts to 
repatriate human remains to Australian indigenous communities.  In doing 
this, the governments recognise the special connection that indigenous 
people have with ancestral remains, particularly where there are living 
descendants.

The Australian government appreciates the efforts already made by the 
British government and institutions in relation to assisting the return
of 
human remains of significance to Australian indigenous communities.  We 
agree that the way ahead in this area is a cooperative approach between
our 
governments.  Our governments recognise that there is a range of
significant 
issues to be addressed in order to facilitate the repatriation of
indigenous 
human remains.  Addressing these issues requires a coordinated long-term 
approach by governments involving indigenous communities and collecting 
institutions.  Consultation will be undertaken with indigenous
organisations 
as part of developing any new cooperative arrangements.

Significant efforts have already been undertaken by individuals and 
particular organisations in this area.  More research is required to 
identify indigenous human remains held in British collections. 
Extensive 
consultation must also be undertaken to determine the relevant
traditional 
custodians, their aspirations regarding the treatment of the remains and
a 
means for addressing these.

The governments agree to encourage the development of protocols for the 
sharing of information between British and Australian institutions and 
indigenous people.  In this respect we welcome the initiative of the
British 
Natural History Museum which has catalogued the 450 indigenous human
remains 
in its collection and provided this information to the Australian 
government.

We endorse the repatriation of indigenous human remains wherever
possible 
[and appropriate] from both public and private collections.  We note
that 
several British institutions have already negotiated agreements with 
indigenous communities for the release of significant remains.  In 
particular, Edinburgh University, following extensive consultation with
the 
Australian government and indigenous organisations, has recently
completed 
repatriation of a large collection of remains.

Our governments look forward to continuing to address this issue in a 
cooperative and constructive spirit.

4 July 2000



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