Iran, 2600 years ago:
Cyrus the Great (585-529 BC), the Iranian emperor, defined the First Declaration of Human Rights on this cylinder.
Imagine if these values were universally upheld today?
In published documents, it was revealed that the CIA overthrew Iran's government in 1953 because it was using oil profits to benefit the Iranian people (by building hospitals and schools like we have in Canada and the USA) instead of to the benefit of wealthy international investors and US hegemony.
As a result of the coup and the subsequent Cold War propaganda, the West now view Iranians through a racist, dehumanizing lens.
That's not irony. That's hypocrisy.
From BC 529:
- I declare that I will respect the tradition, customs and religion of the nations of my empire and never let any of my governors to look down or insult the inhabitants of my nations.
- 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.
- If anyone oppresses others, should it happen, I will take his/her right back and penalize the oppressors.
- Today I declare 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.