Tehran, 27 August 2007 (CHN Foreign Desk) – Lamenting the neglect of Iranian authorities for following the case of London’s court ruling on Jiroft’s artifacts to be put up for auction, Jiroft’s representative in Iran’s Parliament have given an ultimatum in this regard.

 

Condemning the delays for pursuing the case and ignorance of Iranian authorities in this regard, Ali Zadsar, Jiroft’s representative in Iran’s Parliament said: “According to the order issued by Iranian President, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO), as well as the Cultural Commission of Iran’s Parliament were put in charge of making effort through following the case and redeem Jiroft’s looted historical relics. However, it seems none of these organizations have taken any step to fulfill this duty.”

 

He further said that Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ICHHTO have not even given any report to the Cultural Commission of Parliament about their activities in this regard and have shown no response to his opposition.

 

This is while based on evidence, the next session of London Court for Jiroft’s historical artifacts is supposed to be held in a near future. However, according to members of the Cultural Commission of the Parliament, no body has been yet determined to attend the court on behalf of Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

According to Zadsar, while London’s Court has claimed that the shortages in Iran’s regulations about its cultural heritage and historical relics is one of the reasons for issuing such a verdict and despite what was supposed from ICHHTO, the Organization have shown much indifference in this regard.

 

He further gave an ultimatum that if the trend of irresponsibility and neglect towards Jiroft’s artifacts continue, he personally will make a measure in an attempt to protect Iran’s cultural heritage.

 

A large number of invaluable historical relics were plundered during the illegal diggings in the area, many of which were smuggled out of country. London Court ruling for putting 17 items of Persian historical relics looted from Jiroft historical site up for sale evoked the response of Iranian cultural heritage experts.

 

The litigant of Iran in this case is the Barakat Gallery, which has collected a large number of Jiroft’s historical relics and intends to fight any appeal, said it had acquired good title to the artifacts under the laws of France, Germany, and Switzerland, where it brought them.

 

This is while based on Vienna Convention of the law of treaties; no government is allowed to invoke the provisions of its internal law as justification for its failure to perform a treaty.

 

Located in Kerman province, city of Jiroft is situated close to the basin of Halil Rud River. Historical evidence indicates that Jiroft enjoyed a rich civilization some 5000 years ago. Some 120 historical sites have been identified so far in the 400 kilometer basin of Halil Rud River.

 

 

Soudabeh Sadigh

foreigndesk@chn.ir