International trade in indigenous cultural heritage: comments from UNESCO in light of its international standard-setting instruments in the field of culture

Abstract

The paper explores how indigenous peoples and their heritage are recognised in the UNESCO conventions and how the latter provide opportunities for engagement of indigenous peoples in heritage protection and safeguarding.14 It highlights in particular how these normative instruments may foster moral and political recognition of indigenous peoples as custodians of heritage, even if the instruments were not designed specifically for indigenous peoples