Pharaohs, Nubians, and Antiquities: International Law Suggests It's Time for a Change in Egypt

Authors

Angi Porter, American University Washington College of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Winter 2013

Journal

Howard Law Journal

Volume

56

Issue

2

First Page

541

Last Page

593

Abstract

Part I of this Comment describes the history and structure of Egypt's antiquities laws. It also describes Egypt's relevant international obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. In Part II, this Comment argues that the current state of Egypt's antiquities system is inconsistent with its international obligations. Part II considers whether Egypt's exclusion of the Nubians stems from Egyptological superiority narratives and analyzes which narratives Egypt could adopt without violating international law. Finally, Part III of this Comment proposes potential solutions that promote Nubian inclusion and Egyptian compliance with CERD, ICESCR, and UNDRIPs.

Recommended Citation

Angi Porter, Pharaohs, Nubians, and Antiquities: International Law Suggests It's Time for a Change in Egypt, 56 Howard Law Journal 541 (2013).
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/facsch_lawrev/2046