A Human Rights Approach to Cultural Property: Repatriating the Yaqui Maaso Kova

The article argues that current legal frameworks for repatriating cultural property, such as the 1970 UNESCO Convention, are insufficient because they are state-centric and fail to address the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples. It advocates for a human rights approach, emphasizing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to remedy past injustices and ensure the repatriation of sacred objects like the Yaqui Maaso Kova. This approach prioritizes Indigenous Peoples' rights to religion, culture, and self-determination over state interests.