For many years the Cyrus Cylinder has been referred to as “the world’s first human rights charter”. The British Museum describes the relic thus:
…
In May 2007, Wikipedia’s own description of the cylinder said:
“The Cyrus Cylinder has been described as the world’s first charter of human rights, and it was translated into all official U.N. languages in 1971. A replica of the cylinder is kept at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City
But that was before Iran’s presidential election last year, and the subsequent ratcheting-up of anti-Iranian activities.
Wikipedia’s current entry tells an entirely different story.
Now we see a strenuous attempt to portray the cylinder as nothing more than the propaganda tool of an aggressive invader, and a complete dismissal of the suggestion that the cylinder, or Cyrus’ actions, represent concern for human rights or any kind of enlightened intent.