📍 Samarkand, November 6, 2025 — In an unprecedented historical and cultural event, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), during its 43rd General Conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, formally recognized the Cyrus Cylinder as one of the world's earliest documents on human rights.
This historic decision was adopted by full consensus of UNESCO Member States, with staunch support from numerous countries, including Iran and Tajikistan (as joint proposers), in the form of an official resolution. This action solidifies the global status of this ancient Iranian artifact as a shared heritage of humanity.
📝 Key Provisions of the UNESCO Resolution (Samarkand 2025)
The UNESCO resolution presents the Cyrus Charter not merely as a museum object but as a contemporary global roadmap:
• Global Symbol of Freedom and Tolerance: The Cyrus Cylinder was declared a global symbol of freedom, justice, tolerance, and respect for cultural diversity, and recognized as a foundational document in the history of human civilization.
• Educational and Cultural Commitment: UNESCO committed to integrating the teachings of the Charter (including principles of social justice, intercultural dialogue, and education for peace) into its educational, cultural, and human rights programs.
• Shared Heritage: The document was placed alongside other iconic works of ancient civilizations as a Shared Heritage of Humanity and was deemed consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
🗣 International Reactions
• The Iranian Representative to UNESCO hailed the move as a "victory for Iranian culture and civilization on the global stage," emphasizing: "Cyrus the Great was not only a just king but a messenger of coexistence and human dignity."
• The Director-General of UNESCO, in the opening address of the session, referred to the Cyrus Cylinder as a "unique document from antiquity that portrays human values transcending all borders."
🏛 Historical Background and Content of the Cyrus Charter
Dating back to the sixth century BC, the Cyrus Cylinder was inscribed following Cyrus the Great's conquest of Babylon. The baked-clay document, inscribed in cuneiform, is celebrated as the world's First Charter of Human Rights due to its progressive content.
Key Principles Enshrined in the Charter
The central and prominent concepts in this historical document are based on Cyrus's humane and governmental principles:
• Abolition of Slavery and End to Oppression: Cyrus commanded the unconditional freedom of all enslaved people, putting an end to their misery.
• Religious Freedom and Tolerance: Cyrus stressed absolute respect for the rites, beliefs, and temples of all people, ordering the restoration of destroyed temples. He explicitly stated that no one should harm the city's inhabitants, and people should be absolutely free to worship their own god.
• Repatriation of the Displaced and Captives: He issued the order for the free return of all captives and people who had been forcibly brought to Babylon, to their homes and homelands.
• Respect for Nations and Security: Equality in treating diverse nations and cultures, the prohibition of all forms of oppression and injustice, and the emphasis on establishing peace and security in the governed territories are among the other critical provisions of this charter.
⏳ UNESCO's Previous Attention to the Cyrus Cylinder
The United Nations and UNESCO's recognition of the Cyrus Charter's global importance is long-standing, and the Samarkand resolution is not the organization's first action:
• Designation as Historical Document (1970s): In 1971, the United Nations named the Cyrus Cylinder an "historical document in the field of human rights."
• Replica at UN Headquarters: A replica of the Cylinder was donated to the UN Headquarters in New York in 1971, coinciding with the 2,500th anniversary of the Iranian Monarchy, and is displayed in the Security Council lobby (where the Secretary-General's office was then located) to underscore its global importance in promoting human rights and peace.
• Official Translation: UNESCO has translated the text of the Charter into many of its official languages, citing it as a reference document for the study of ancient tolerance and rights.
The adoption of the resolution in Samarkand, in effect, formally elevates and institutionalizes this document within UNESCO's structure and embeds its principles into the organization's future programs.
🌐 Vision for Human Heritage
The UNESCO decision in Samarkand is more than a historical registration; it is an affirmation of the global relevance of the principles of tolerance, mutual respect, and fundamental human rights that manifested in ancient Iran 2,600 years ago. This resolution is expected to facilitate the more formal and widespread use of Cyrus the Great's message in global educational and cultural systems, positioning it as a model for peaceful coexistence in today's complex world.