02/09/2026
PRESS RELEASE FROM The International Organising Committee – Australia – for the
Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles Inc, (IOC-A-RPM) was established 1981.
From the month of July 2026, it has now been over 50 years since Emanuel John Comino AM, Founder, Chair and President of the IOC-A-RPM had began his Odessey to fight for the unconditional return and re-unification of the Parthenon Marbles with their remaining pieces in Athens, Greece.
For half a century he has set the foundation and taken this fight around the globe, visiting Museums, meeting national dignitaries, Human Rights lawyers and Justices, Members of Parliaments and given well over a hundred lectures on the merits of all arguments on the matter. He has been the quintessential Marathon man of the Parthenon Marbles! (An appropriate pun, since one of the reasons the marbles were
created to commemorate the 192 Hellenes fallen at the Battle of Marathon-a battle which some argue has led to our Democratic life we live today in Australia). And he continues to run this race to fight for their return to this day.
Whilst he started out on this journey alone in July 1976, (at a time when Greece was distracted by internal turmoil and political upheaval) and within 5 years Founded the first Committee in the world outside of Greece created to campaign for their return, (The AHEPA Australia Committee for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles to Hellas)))
now there are over 20 committees around the globe, and an International Committee based in Athens, in which he sits as the current Vice-President.
So, what was the spark that ignited this passion for the Parthenon Marbles return to
Athens?
A visit to the Louvre Museum in Paris in 1976, where a single Sculptured piece of the Parthenon was on display, and piqued Emanuel’s curiosity-prompting him to ask-why is it here and not in Athens with the rest of the Parthenon Marbles? And the rest of the story, as they say is History…and whilst there are too many milestones in the campaign to mention, some poignant highlights over these 50 years includes the following:
• In 1981, in Association with AHEPA (Australian Hellenic Educational Progressive Association), he formed the very first committee in the world outside of Hellas to campaign for the Parthenon Marbles reunification, ( The AHEPA Australia
Committee for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles ) the International Organising Committee – Australia – for the Restitution of the Parthenon Marbles (IOC-A-RPM) was formed in 1997
• Emanuel and the IOC-A-RPM sponsored and supported the British Committee from its inception 1983 to directly work with the British Government and the British Museum for re-unification in the UK. In March 1983, the committee formed a direct partnership with the Greek Minister of Culture and world famous
singer , Melina Mercouri, who then led Greece’s official international campaign.
• Emanuel assisted in the organisation of three International Colloquies. These conferences on Return of the Parthenon Marbles, were held in London, Sydney and Athens, bringing together classical archaeologists, legal scholars, and museum curators to debate cultural heritage restitution principles.
• Emanuel attended the International Court in the Hague, to prosecute the argument for return of the Parthenon Marbles. He said the Parthenon Marbles are one of the most important cultural property disputes in the world today.
• Through persistent campaigning, the committee helped secure expressions of
support and formal motions for return of the Parthenon Marbles from the Australian Parliaments, States and Territories legislatures.
Emanuel has not campaigned on his own, and along the way many prominent Australian and International figures have supported this cause including the world-famous singer and Hellenic Minister of Culture, the late Melina Mercuri, the Human Rights lawyer George Bizos who also defended Nelson Mandela, Former Prime Minister
of Australia John Howard and NSW State Premier, Bob Carr.
Finally, when asked about the future campaigning this Australian born, 93-year-old Hellene says that he has a promise made to the late Melina Mercuri. When he met her in Sydney in 1983, he pledged that:
“Ï will continue the struggle of the Parthenon Marbles for Greece until they return or
until the day I die” . In reply she shed a tear and kissed him on the cheek.
The IOC-A-RPM committee will be celebrating this 50 year milestone throughout the
year ahead, and will be arranging a number of community events throughout the
following 12 months.
For more details and enquiries, please contact the IOC-A-RPM on the following email
address: [email protected]
Photo gallery:
1) Members of the 2023 Executive Committee photo from left to right: Irene faros, Russell
Darnley (OAM), Emanuel J Comino (AM), Emanuel G Comino, Nicholas Lynch, Theodora
Gianniotis, Kathy Kouvas, (absent: Christine Lynch (OAM), Gina Choutis, Jordan Antonopoulos.
