Together we can protect Afghanistan’s cultural heritage

Major Breakthroughs

Afghan Government committed to preserving cultural heritage, historical landmarks

November 26, 2020
https://president.gov.af/en/afghan-government-committed-to-preserving-cultural-heritage-historical-landmarks/?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=pmd_6lwb_Ud3LENfdF9FKZ5bYvBCmtMmKGx5rqoRGazjMo4-1629509796-0-gqNtZGzNAjujcnBszQj9

Taliban Issues Statement on the Protection of Afghanistan’s Ancient Heritage

February 20, 2021
https://www.arch-library.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/statement_on_protection_of_cultural_property.pdf

Press Release

ARCH International, February 20, 2021
https://www.arch-library.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/press-release_Taliban-in-support-of-cultural-heritage-2.pdf

Read the letter we personally handed to both delegations in the ongoing peace talks – between the government of Afghanistan and the Taliban. Click on your preferred language:

We hereby join the Afghan people in urging both sides in the Afghan peace talks to commit to being responsible custodians of Afghanistan’s cultural wealth. We ask them to affirm that they will protect and preserve it, for the benefit of their country and the world…

ARCH in the News

You might be wondering

What happens after I sign the petition?

ARCH will deliver the petition with all signatures to both delegations in the peace talks.

Please note that our change.org campaign will end on March 1, 2021 – sign today; make sure your voice is included.

What else can I do to support this cause?

Write about the importance culture has for a nation’s rebuilding – from your personal perspective. It does not have to be Afghanistan related. We will share your thoughts on our ARCH Blog. Email us at info@archinternational.org

What has ARCH already done?

In early October 2020, ARCH International presented the petition letter (in English, Dari, Pashto) to the Afghan government delegation and the Taliban delegation. Both sides are currently negotiating peace in Doha, Qatar.

Back in October we only had a few signatures. Now we need your help, please sign and share with your friends, so that we can follow-up with the peace negotiators and ask them to commit to the protection of Afghanistan’s cultural heritage.

Any updates since ARCH has started the petition?

Yes! ARCH partnered with the renowned think tank CSIS in Washington. D.C. to host a virtual panel on the topic of incorporating cultural heritage into the final peace agreement.

This ARCH panel will be free to attend, a live stream will be webcast live here via the CSIS website and the CSIS YouTube channel. Tune in on Wednesday, January 27, from 2:00 – 3:00PM EST. While you watch live, you will be able to submit your questions via a web form.

The panelists are ARCH Board Member and former UNESCO Director Dr. Irina Bokova, Mrs. Adela Raz, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the United Nations, and Mr. Luis Monreal, General Manager of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. We very much look forward to your participation!

How can I add a signature to the list here on your website in addition to signing the petition?

The names we list here as signatories have been personally confirmed by the ARCH Team. Please contact us if you would like to add your name.

Support for our Petition is Growing

Signatories

Yama Jewayni

Board of Directors, ARCH International

Washington D.C. 10/5/2020

Aryana Sayeed

Award-winning Singer, Songwriter and Human/Women Rights Activist

Istanbul 10/09/2020

Prof. Amanullah Haiderzad

Sculptor, Founder of the Fine Arts Department, Kabul University

New York 10/5/2020

Asma Faraz

External Relations Coordinator, AMS; Board Member, American Chamber of Commerce in Afghanistan

Alexandria, VA 10/07/2020

Omaid Sharifi

President, ArtLords

Kabul 10/08/2020

Masuda Sultan

Afghan American entrepreneur, international human rights advocate, author

New York 10/27/2020

Ahmad Sawiz

ARCH Afghanistan Liaison

New York 11/1/2020

Muska Stanakzai

Community Activist, TV Host

Toronto, 11/4/2020

Larissa-Diana Fuhrmann

Curator, Cultural Manager, Writer

Cologne, 11/4/2020