It's because the demand for items being returned only goes in one direction which supports what can only be described as 'woke' beneficiaries of the pieces. It'

It's because the demand for items being returned only goes in one direction which supports what can only be described as 'woke' beneficiaries of the pieces. It's also not clear who properly owns what or why but it suits a narrative. For example, do the people who think art taken during the colonial era from Asia and brought to France or England should be returned also think that art taken from the Catholic Church should be returned to the Catholic Church? Probably not. Has this happened? Yes, absolutely. In any event morally unscrupulous rich people in other parts of the world may have no problem buying or stealing these items once they have left western museums where they may disappear forever.