This site is located near the House of Iran, a cottage which is part of Balboa Park’s House of Pacific Relations, built for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition. The furnishings in the little buildings exemplify life in their respective countries. This monument cites Cyrus the Great, Emperor of Persia in the 6th century B.C., as the issuer of the First Declaration of Human Rights.
The plaque says:
First Declaration of Human Rights by Cyrus the Great
Inscribed in cuneiform on a clay cylinder discovered in 1879.
Now on display in the British MuseumCyrus the Great (585-529 BC) the Iranian Emperor defined the First
Declaration of Human Rights on this cylinder. Cyrus is admired more
as a liberator than a conqueror of his vast empire because of his repsect for human rights and the humane treatment of those he ruled. He is “anointed” in the Bible (Is 45:4-15). Professor Richard Frye of Harvard University said; “Surely, the concept of One World, the fusion of Peoples and Cultures into oneness was one of his important legacies”.
The following from this ancient cylinder are a rendition of the spirit of his message in modern English:1. I declare that I will respect the traditions, customs and religion of the many nations of my empire and never let any of my governors to look down or insult the inhabitants of my nations.
2. I hereby abolish slavery; my governors are ordered to prohibit
exchanging men and women as slaves within their ruling domains. Such
a tradition should be exterminated the world over.3. If anyone oppresses others, should it happen, I will take his/her right back and penalize the oppressors.
4. Today I declare the Freedom of Religion. All are free to choose any religion, live in all regions and take up any job provided that they never violate other’s rights.
These proclamations ring true today in our times as they did in 535 BC
HOUSE OF IRAN”
There is another monument to Cyrus in Sydney, Australia and as part of the Freedom Monument in Los Angeles, California.
