SAVE
THE CULTURAL HERITAGE OF AFGHANISTAN
Appeal by ICOMOS and ICOM
|
For
Immediate Release
- March 1, 2001
ICOMOS
(International Council on Monuments and Sites) and ICOM
(International Council of Museums) learned with great
shock of the new decree issued by the Taliban leadership
of Mullah Mohammad Omar ordering the systematic destruction
of all statues in the country. This decision breaks the
commitment made by the Taliban leadership in 1999 to protect
all cultural heritage in Afghanistan and in particular
the giant Buddha figures at Bamiyan.
Adding
to the dishonour of breaking a commitment to preserve the
ancient and diverse heritage of Afghanistan as part of that
of the whole of mankind, such an act of destruction would
be a total cultural catastrophe. It would remain written
in the pages of history next to the most infamous acts of
barbarity.
For
many years, ICOM has alerted the world on illicit trade
in cultural objects from Afghanistan. ICOMOS, in its 2000
World Report on monuments and sites in danger (see www.international.icomos.org),
pointed out in detail the dangers to cultural heritage
in Afghanistan, in particular the pre-islamic figures
of the Buddha in Bamiyan. This decree of Mollah Mohammad
Omar confirms the imminence of this danger.
As
world-wide non-governmental organisations, ICOMOS and
ICOM call on all people, governments, International Organisations
and associations to take immediate action to prevent this
cultural catastrophe from happening. A dialogue should
be established with the Taliban leaders to ensure adequate
protection of all Afghan heritage, whether pre-islamic
or islamic. This is a matter of the highest importance
and the greatest emergency.
Governing
Bodies
