‘Restitution and Repatriation’ Lecture Series

In Southeast Asia, discussions about how cultural heritage relates to collective memory are often couched in the context of living practices and traditions, ancient architecture, and the restitution and return of treasured artefacts. However, contemporary court records can also play an important role in the preservation, interpretation and accessibility of cultural memory. Courts collect and produce records to determine legal responsibility, and these records can become enduring resources for individuals seeking to understand and safeguard their own histories. Taking the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) as its central case study, this talk will examine how judicial records contribute to cultural memory and identity. It will consider how certain legal questions can shape the preservation, interpretation and use of such records, and how they can support research, education and public understanding. By connecting Cambodia’s experience with Thai examples of documentary heritage, such as the collections of The Siam Society Under Royal Patronage, this talk will explore a shared regional interest in preserving records and supporting their meaningful use by future generations. It will highlight practical opportunities for co-operation between institutions across Southeast Asia, and place these within wider international efforts to safeguard documentary heritage.