The irresponsible, irrational and unjust behavior of Islamic regime of Iran not only has brought about the worst problems and calamities to the Iranian people, but has also caused some other states and nations to believe that Iranians are a violent and adventurous people. It seems that this very notion is – both directly and indirectly - the root of ignoring Iranians’ cultural and legal interests that, according to international laws, deserve to be protected by international institutions.

One of the irresponsible actions of the Islamic regime is its ignoring the intentional plight of archeological sites and monuments that either belong to the pre-Islamic period of Iranian history or are related to religions other than Islam.

Upon the provisions of Human Rights Charter and the 1972 Convention for preservation of national and world heritage, we - a group of people interested in the cultural heritage of the world - have gathered together in the International Committee to Save the Archeological Sites of the Pasargad Plains, and with the collaboration of numerous interested groups and societies both inside and outside of Iran, are endeavoring to salvage some of humanity’s cultural heritage. In several occasions we have written to Human Rights institutions, as well as the UNESCO, documenting our claims with pictures and reports prepared by specialists and experts, while explaining the ever-increasing pace of this destructive trend in Iran.  

The most important endangered Iranian monument and site is the mausoleum of Cyrus the Great who, all through the history, has been considered as an important world political leader who championed the equality of people in the eye of the law and the prevalence of peace amongst the nations. He is the first one who, according to the accounts of the majority of the world archeologists and historians, declared and sanctified what we label today as Human Rights, 2500 years ago.

The threat to his mausoleum comes from a dam – called Sivand – that has been constructed in the vicinity of this archeological site and is ruining it through elevating the humidity as well as the sub-terrain waters.

Unfortunately, it is not only the Islamic regime that has ignored all the warnings and has actually intensified the operation of the dam.  UNESCO has also chosen to be silent in the face of this imminent danger.

The physical destruction of this monument has now been coincided with an orchestrated attack by the Islamic regime against Cyrus himself – an attack that is now being intensified by the articles written and published by two European periodicals. Although such biased articles have received due response from historians and experts, it is obvious that this two-tongued attacks are aiming the most revered and proud moment of Iranian pre-Islamic history that represents a rational and humane culture, far from atrocities of the ancient world and searching for world peace, harmony and co-existence of humans, regardless of their races or religious affiliations.

We have now actually entered a critical phase, when the reports of experts and engineers, as well as the pictures taken from Cyrus’s resting place vividly manifest the immediacy and seriousness of the dangers foreseen since long time ago by all interested parties.

Ladies and gentlemen!

We are seeking your help to salvage an ancient site that is registered by international authorities as a part of human heritage. We need the help of every one of you to put pressure on your local branches of UNESCO and other institutions responsible for the preservation of human heritage, asking them to act upon their assumed responsibilities and do not let political intentions hinder their efforts to stop yet another destruction of ancient treasures just like what Taliban of Afghanistan did to the Buddha’s statutes.

With thanks and anticipation

On behalf of  ICSP

Shokooh Mirzadegi

August 07, 2008