Statement by Save the Tigris Foundation on the Expulsion from the 47th UNESCO World Heritage Committee Meeting

The Hague, 8th July 2025
www.savethetigris.org

Download the Statement here.

The expulsion of Save the Tigris from the 47th UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting marks a troubling and dangerous precedent for civil society participation in global heritage protection. For the first time in history, an NGO observer was forcibly excluded from the session – not due to misconduct, but solely because of its critical stance towards the policies of a member state. Turkey’s unilateral demand, supported without due process by all Committee members – including several EU countries – sets a chilling example of how governments can silence dissent under unfounded accusations of “politicization.”

At the opening of the 47th World Heritage Committee session in Paris, after greetings from Ms. Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General, during the agenda item on “accepting participation of other observers,” the representative of Turkey demanded the removal of our organization from the list of NGOs observers to the committee meeting. Our work and writings have, at times, been critical of Turkey’s policies and practices regarding the management and sharing of trans- boundary rivers in Mesopotamia due to possible negative impacts on world heritage sites. The written request from Turkey to expel Save the Tigris was submitted the same morning and was supported solely by oral claims that our NGO “sometimes made statements sympathizing with separatist narratives” and that “we should not allow NGOs to politicize the Committee’s work.”

For over a decade, Save the Tigris has worked tirelessly to defend the cultural and natural heritage of Mesopotamia—from the Iraqi Marshes to other ancient sites along the Tigris and Euphrates. Our evidence-based advocacy has shed light on threats posed by large-scale infrastructure projects and environmental degradation, whether they are located upstream in Turkey or Iran or downstream in Iraq and Syria. These projects threaten the delicate ecosystems, water security, and heritage sites in the region. Our work has filled gaps in monitoring and provided diverse perspectives often absent from state narratives. As an independent, nonpartisan organization committed to dialogue and nonviolence, we believe that our voice should not be silenced when it challenges prevailing policies. Yet today, our contribution was forcibly removed from a forum dedicated to safeguarding the common heritage of humanity.

The UNESCO World Heritage Convention is at great risk of becoming a tool for repression rather than protection. For many years, civil society organizations have recognized the need for robust, evidence-based dialogue to strengthen democratic mechanisms within the Convention framework. We have dedicated ourselves to supporting this process—monitoring World Heritage properties, providing vital field information, and advocating for transparent management. However, the recent actions demonstrate that space for independent civil society voices is shrinking rather than expanding.

Call to Action: Defend Civil Society’s Role in Heritage Protection

We urge all organizations, activists, and media attending the World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris—as well as our allies worldwide—to condemn this blatant act of censorship. We request that UNESCO and Committee members reverse this decision and establish clear, fair rules for civil society participation. Heritage protection cannot succeed without the inclusion of diverse voices, especially those that challenge power and highlight critical issues on the ground.

In particular, we must recognize the threats posed by large-scale infrastructure projects— whether located upstream in Turkey or Iran or downstream in Iraq and Syria—that threaten the region’s water security, cultural and natural heritage. These projects exacerbate the challenges faced by the peoples and heritage sites in Mesopotamia and must be critically scrutinized within the framework of UNESCO and international cooperation.

The silencing of scrutiny cannot be normalized when the very integrity of our shared heritage is endangered. Civil society participation in the safeguarding of the world’s irreplaceable cultural and natural treasures is essential.

Contact persons: